News

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, undertook a submarine sortie onboard the Indian Navy’s frontline indigenous submarine INS Vaghsheer in the Western Seaboard, marking a rare civilian–supreme commander interaction with India’s undersea deterrent.

Key Points

1. The sortie was conducted onboard INS Vaghsheer, a Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarine.
2. President Murmu is the second President to undertake a submarine sortie (after A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in 2006).
3. The President was accompanied by Dinesh K. Tripathi, the Chief of Naval Staff.
4. The submarine operates from the Karwar naval base in Karnataka.
5. The President interacted with the crew and was briefed on the role of submarines in maritime strategy, combat preparedness, and national maritime security.
6. INS Vaghsheer was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January and represents India’s growing indigenous defence manufacturing capability.

Prelims MCQ

Q1. With reference to India’s Kalvari-class submarines, consider the following statements:

1. They are diesel-electric attack submarines built under Project-75.

2. They are equipped with nuclear propulsion systems.

3. They enhance India’s sea-denial and underwater surveillance capabilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 2 and 3 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 1 and 2 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B) 1 and 3 only