Vagsheer begins sea trial

On 18th May 2023, the 6th and last Kalvari class submarine, Vagsheer was launched and commenced her maiden sea trial. The submarine is planned to be inducted by 2024. With the launch of Vagsheer, the substantial submarine manufacturing capabilities of MDL is set to become idle, bringing an end to the Navy’s Project 75 to acquire six conventional submarines.

The Navy now operates, 16 diesel attack conventional Submarines which includes: 5 Kalvari or scorpene class, 7 Sindhughosh or Kilo class and 4 Shishumar or Type 209 class of submarines.

While the project 75I is yet to be finalized, it does make sense to give follow-on orders for 3 more Kalvari Class submarines.

3 More Submarines of Kalvari Class

In Jan 2023, the Hindustan Times reported that the Indian Navy is considering approaching the government for the construction of three more Kalvari class submarines, fitted with long endurance air independent propulsion (AIP) unit, by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in collaboration with French Naval Group.

It is understood that the Indian Navy’s leadership is now rethinking the Late Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s proposal and is expected to ask for three more Kalvari class submarines fitted with DRDO’s AIP.

The latest report indicates that MDL will soon get Order of 3 more Kalvari class submarines equipped with AIP. The approval may come in upcoming DAC meet in next 2 months.

This is much needed for Indian Navy which is far behind in the number of submarines it operates. It will no longer be able to ignore the Pakistan Navy as its going induct 8 new Hangor class submarines which will keep the Indian Navy engaged in western seaboard. In east China remains the continuous threat. Even the Naval chief has acknowledged the presence of 4-5 Chinese vessel all time in the IOR region.

MDL submarine building capability

MDL has capacity to build 11 submarines simultaneously at different stages. The highly skilled workforce, specially trained to work on pressure hulls, is likely to be moved to other warship projects that the yard has bagged as plans to manufacture next-generation submarines have hit delays.

Therefore, it becomes very important for Indian Navy to keep building submarines and inducting it into its fleet. Recently, MDL has claimed that it will reduce the hull launch to sea trial time to 6 years on average which sounds too good to believe.

Even though the construction of 1st submarine of Kalvari class took more time and planned, the recent delivery of submarines has been impressive by MDL. In last 3 years, 3 Submarines of Kalvari class has been delivered and commissioned into Indian Navy. There will not be any surprise if MDL starts launching submarines in 6 years once the order for the same is placed by MoD.