Vaghsheer Submarine: The Indian Navy is continuously increasing its strength in the sea. In this sequence, to boost its underwater strength, the Navy will induct its sixth and last Kalvari class submarine Bagsheer in December. This submarine was constructed under the Project 75 program worth Rs 23562 crore.
According to the report of Hindustan Times, officials said that the final trials of this submarine built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai are going on. With a transfer from French firm Naval Group, the yard has built Kalvari-class (Scorpene) diesel-electric attack submarines. These submarines can perform various missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations and intelligence.
Ongoing talks with France to build more submarines
India is in talks with France to build three more such submarines in the MDL to strengthen its maritime position in the vast Indian Ocean region. Earlier on August 29, in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, India had commissioned its second indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat, in Visakhapatnam.
On this occasion, Rajnath Singh had said that this will further strengthen India’s nuclear triangle, increase nuclear deterrence and help in establishing strategic balance in the region. Arighat or S-3 is the second Arihant class submarine and is more advanced than INS Arihant (S-2).
This submarine will be commissioned next year
The country’s third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Aridman or S-4, will also be commissioned next year. After this will come the fourth SSBN codenamed S-4. The last two submarines of the Arihant class will be larger and capable of launching long-range missiles. The Navy is also considering building two nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines to deter the country’s enemies in the Indo-Pacific region.