Vaghsheer Submarine: Latest Addition to India’s Scorpene-Class Fleet.

According to information published by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders on January 9, 2025, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has delivered Vaghsheer, the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine under Project 75, to the Indian Navy.
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Sixth Scorpene-class submarine Vagsheer. (Picture source: Indian MoD)

The Scorpene-class submarines, designed by the French Naval Group and built by MDL under a technology transfer agreement, are recognized for their superior stealth, operational versatility, and advanced weaponry. Vaghsheer, like its predecessors, embodies cutting-edge technology tailored to meet the Indian Navy’s strategic needs. With a length of 67.5 meters and a submerged displacement of 1,775 tons, it is designed for optimized hydrodynamic performance, allowing it to operate with minimal noise and enhanced survivability. Its diesel-electric propulsion system delivers exceptional submerged speeds exceeding 20 knots, while its endurance of up to 50 days ensures long-range deployments in critical maritime zones.

Vaghsheer showcases extensive indigenization efforts. Critical components such as the combat management system, battery systems, and hull materials were sourced from Indian industries, demonstrating the growing expertise of local suppliers in meeting complex defense requirements. The construction process also fostered the development of specialized skills and infrastructure at MDL, ensuring India’s readiness for future submarine programs.

India-France relation

India and France share a longstanding and multifaceted defense relationship, rooted in a comprehensive strategic partnership established in 1998. Over the decades, their collaboration has deepened, encompassing defense procurement, joint military exercises, technological co-development, and shared strategic objectives, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

The historical trajectory of their defense ties began in the 1950s when France supplied Dassault Ouragan (Toofani) aircraft to the Indian Air Force. This marked the start of a robust partnership that later included acquisitions like Mirage 2000 fighter jets and Scorpene-class submarines. The relationship gained significant momentum in 2016 when India procured 36 Rafale fighter jets, enhancing its air combat capabilities. In recent years, their cooperation has extended to technology transfer and joint production, exemplified by the agreement to co-develop a high-thrust fighter jet engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mark-2.