India inducts 5th Scorpene-class submarine Vagir into navy

NEW DELHI, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- Indian authorities on Monday commissioned the fifth Scorpene-class submarine INS Vagir into the Indian Navy at an event in Mumbai.
All India Radio reported quoting defense sources that Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar was the Chief Guest at the event held at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
The Scorpion submarine has been built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai in collaboration with the French Naval manufacturing giant Naval Group.
This is the fifth submarine built under a 3.5 billion dollars deal with the French company as four of the Kalvari class of submarines have already been inducted into the Indian Navy.
Vagir means sand shark in local language and represents آ‘stealth and fearlessnessآ’, two qualities that are synonymous with the ethos of a submariner.
"The submarine will boost the Indian Navy's capability to further India's maritime interests in deterring the enemy, and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to provide decisive blow in the times of crisis," the Indian Navy said. "The induction of Vagir is another step towards the Indian Navy, consolidating its position as a builderآ’s Navy, as it also reflects MDLآ’s capabilities as a premier ship and submarine building yard," the defense ministry had said.
"Vagir will boost the Indian Navyآ’s capability to further Indiaآ’s maritime interests and is capable of undertaking diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and surveillance missions," it added. The induction of the submarine assume importance as it comes amid growing tension in the Indo-Pacafic region as China has increased its military build up. (end) atk.rk