Submarine INS Vagir a ‘silent killer’ 

(MainsGS3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.)

Context:

• INS Vagir, the fifth of the Kalvari-class submarines under Project-75, has been commissioned into the Indian Navy at a time when China is making forays into the strategically important Indian Ocean region.

About INS Vagir:

• INS Vagir takes its name from the sand shark, a deep-sea predator endemic to the Indian Ocean and will form part of the Western Naval Command’s submarine fleet. 
• As per the Ministry of Defence, the submarine’s induction will boost the capabilities of the armed forces, enabling them to further the maritime interests of the country in deterring the enemy, and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) to provide decisive blows in times of crisis.
• The submarine has been built indigenously by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and designed by French naval defence company Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) as part of the Indian Navy’s Project-75. 
• While four of the Kalvari-class submarines have already been commissioned, the last is likely to join the fleet by 2024.

About Scorpène-class submarines:

• In October 2005, India signed a $3.75-billion deal as part of Project-75 for the indigenous construction of six diesel-electric attack submarines in collaboration with the Naval Group of France— for the transfer of technology of its Scorpène-class.
• One of the most advanced conventional submarines, referred to as the “most silent underwater killer machines” in the world, Scorpène-class submarines are equipped with potent weapons and sensors to neutralise threats above or below the sea.
•  France’s Naval Group says that the third-generation air-independent propulsion (AIP) system and stealth and autonomous features of the Scorpène class give the submarine 18 days of autonomy at sea. 
• These submarines are capable of missions related to combat against surface ships and submarines, intelligence gathering, and special operations, and can operate both in the open sea and shallow waters.
• The six Scorpène-class submarines of P75 have been designed to operate in all theatres and undertake missions involving anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine-laying and area surveillance.

Other features:

• The modern technology used in Scorpène submarines ensures superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic absorption techniques, low radiated noise levels, a hydro-dynamically optimised shape , and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons, according to a government press release. 
• The attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on the surface. 
• The stealth of this potent platform is enhanced by the special attention provided to her characteristic underwater signatures.

Submarines in service:

• As of date, with INS Vagir joining the fleet, the Indian Navy has 16 conventional and one nuclear submarine in service. 
• These include seven Russian Kilo-class submarines, four German HDW submarines, five Scorpène-class submarines, and the nuclear ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant.
• And this is no small achievement and underscores the coming of age of India’s shipbuilding industry and the maturing of our defence ecosystem. 
• It is also a shining testimony to the expertise and experience of our shipyards to construct complex and complicated platforms.

Conclusion:

• The programme, Project-75 India, is aimed at progressively building indigenous capabilities in the private sector to “design, develop and manufacture complex weapon systems for the future needs of the armed forces”