Mumbai: Indian Navy’s fifth ‘Kalvari Class’ submarines under Project-75 was launched on Thursday by Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Y Naik at the Mazagaon Dock Ltd through video conference, officials said here.
Performing the launch ceremony from Goa, the new submarine has been named ‘Vagir’ by the minister’s wife, Vijaya S Naik, in the presence of top naval officers and other dignitaries, including officials from Naval Group, France.
While the first two submarines, under the Project-75, have been commissioned into the Indian Navy, the third and fourth submarines are currently undergoing sea trials.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Naik lauded the stellar role of MDL in the ‘Make In India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives of the Cenre.
He also appreciated the deep emotional bonds between ships and submarines and the crew, which builds and man them as a “unique aspects of the navy and shipyards”.
After today's launch, ‘Vagir’ will be fitted with various equipment for the harbour acceptance trials, and subsequently, the crew will sail the submarine for the sea acceptance trials, sources added.
