President Murmu Embarks on Historic Submarine Sortie, Showcasing India's Naval Prowess

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In a significant display of India's military might, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday undertook a groundbreaking two-hour submarine sortie onboard INS Vaghsheer from the Karwar harbour in Karnataka. This historic move reaffirms the country's commitment to its naval power and its ability to safeguard national maritime interests. The President's sortie onboard the frontline Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine was a testament to the nation's confidence in its indigenous submarine construction capabilities. As the second President to undertake a submarine sortie, Murmu's maiden embarkation onboard an indigenous submarine reflects her continued engagement with the armed forces in operational settings. Accompanied by Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the President witnessed the submarine's operational capabilities firsthand, including multiple successful firings and challenging operations. The President's visit to INS Vaghsheer, India's sixth and final Kalvari-class submarine, comes at a time when the country is strengthening its strategic forces with the commissioning of new submarines. The ₹70,000-crore Project 75I aims to build next-generation conventional submarines with advanced capabilities, including air-independent propulsion systems. The first submarine under this project is expected to be delivered to the navy in seven years, with the rest at the rate of one per year. India's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Aridaman, is set to be commissioned early next year, followed by a fourth SSBN codenamed S-4* in 2027. The navy has already commissioned its second indigenous SSBN, INS Arighaat, in August 2024, further strengthening the country's nuclear triad. The President's submarine sortie is a powerful reaffirmation of India's commitment to its naval power and its ability to safeguard national maritime interests. It is a testament to the nation's confidence in its indigenous submarine construction capabilities and its dedication to strengthening its strategic forces.