The Indian Navy submarine, INS Vagir, is on an extended-range deployment. The deployment which commenced in June 2023, will reach Fremantle, Australia today. The submarine, which is the Indian Navy’s fifth Kalvari class submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 2023 and is based in Mumbai.
During her stay in Australia, INS Vagir will participate in various exercises with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) units on the West Coast of Australia. At present on the East coast of Australia, Indian Naval ships and aircraft are involved in Exercise MALABAR 23 from the 11th to the 21st of August and AUSINDEX 23 from the 22nd to the 24th of August. During the ongoing deployment, basic, intermediate, and advanced-level Anti-Submarine exercises are scheduled. In addition, the RAN submarine and Indian Naval P8i aircraft are scheduled to exercise with INS Vagir. This deployment will further augment the cooperation and synergy between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy.
The extended range deployment, 67 maiden deployment by the Indian Navy submarine to Australia showcases the capability and professional acumen to undertake sustained operations at extended ranges from the base port for prolonged durations.