On April 20th 2022, Vagsheer was launched by the Defence Secretary of India, Dr. Ajay Kumar. Vagsheer is the last of the six P75 Scorpene® submarine entirely built by the Indian shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) based on years of successful technology transfer and partnership with Naval Group.
The Vagsheer is the last of the series of six Kalvari-class submarines ordered by India in 2005 to be launched. MDL teams will now have to complete the integration and setting to work of the equipment and machinery onboard before beginning the sea trials, including weapon and sensor trials.
The launching of Vagsheer highlights the success of the indigenous submarine construction program of the Government of India. These submarines have been completely built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) through a transfer of technology from Naval Group, in line with Indian Government’s “Make in India” policy. The series of six submarines is fitted with a number of equipment built in India by qualified and highly trained industrial Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs). MDL and Naval Group have developed a rich industrial ecosystem of more than 50 Indian companies and their future projects are not limited to submarines, thus contributing to industrial and technological sovereignty. These dedicated efforts resonate the success of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision of Prime Minister Modi.
Alain Guillou, EVP International Development at Naval Group said: “We are proud of this successful cooperation with MDL and we stand by their side and are ready to assist for future projects. We celebrate the success of “Make in India” while moving towards a true sense of “Atmanirbhar” naval defence industry. The success of this program is collective and solely aimed at strengthening the Indian Navy. We value our long-term relation and collaboration with India and its navy and our teams are committed to keep on meeting their expectations.”