INS Vaghsheer
Context:
The President of India Droupadi Murmu undertook a dive sortie onboard the Indian Navy’s submarine INS Vaghsheer on the western seaboard.
She embarked on the indigenous Kalvari-class submarine at the Karwar Naval Harbour in Karnataka.
President Murmu became only the second President of India to undertake a sortie onboard a submarine after the late former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
INS Vaghsheer is a Kalvari-class (Scorpène-class) diesel-electric attack submarine of the Indian Navy.
It is the sixth and final submarine built under Project-75, marking completion of India’s first indigenous Scorpène construction line.
Key features
Type: Diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK)
Builder: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai
Technology partner: Naval Group, France
Displacement: ~1,615 tonnes (surfaced)
Endurance: ~50 days
Stealth: Advanced acoustic quieting, low radiated noise
Weapons: Heavy-weight torpedoes, Exocet anti-ship missiles, naval mines
Role: Sea denial, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence/surveillance
Significance
Completes Project-75, strengthening under-sea deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region.
Represents major indigenisation—large portions of hull fabrication, outfitting, and integration done in India.
Enhances operational availability with common logistics, training, and maintenance across the Kalvari class.
Kalvari-class submarines (Project-75)
INS Kalvari
INS Khanderi
INS Karanj
INS Vela
INS Vagir
INS Vaghsheer
Quick facts (Prelims value)
Project-75 ≠ Project-75(I): Project-75 is the Scorpène line; Project-75(I) is a separate, next-generation submarine programme.
SSK submarines rely on batteries/diesel; future upgrades may consider AIP on newer projects.
Built at MDL, not abroad—key for “Make in India” in defence.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. INS Vaghsheer is best described as which of the following?
(a) Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
(b) Diesel-electric attack submarine under Project-75
(c) Nuclear-powered attack submarine under ATV programme
(d) Air-independent propulsion submarine under Project-75(I)
Correct answer: (b)
Explanation:
INS Vaghsheer is a diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) of the Kalvari (Scorpène) class, built under Project-75.
It is not nuclear-powered (rules out a and c).
Project-75(I) is a separate future programme (rules out d).