President of India Droupadi Murmu undertook a dive sortie onboard the Indian Navy’s submarine INS Vaghsheer on the western seaboard. The sortie was conducted from the Karwar naval base in Karnataka and lasted for more than two hours.

During the sortie, the President was accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. She embarked on the indigenously built Kalvari-class submarine and interacted with its officers and sailors. She also observed operational demonstrations, including complex underwater manoeuvres and multiple successful firings.

With this embarkation, President Murmu became only the second President of India to experience a submarine sortie. Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had undertaken a similar sortie in February 2006 onboard INS Sindhu Rakshak. This was also President Murmu’s first embarkation onboard an indigenous Kalvari-class submarine.

In a message recorded in the visitors’ book, the President described the sortie as a special experience. She added that sailing, diving and spending time with the crew gave her an opportunity to witness their professionalism and preparedness.

She observed that the multiple successful firings and demanding operations carried out by INS Vaghsheer demonstrated the crew’s dedication and adherence to the submarine’s motto, “Veerta Varchasva Vijaya”.

President Droupadi Murmu embarked the Indian Navy’s indigenous Kalvari class submarine INS Vaghsheer at Karwar Naval Base, Karnataka. The President is undertaking a sortie on the Western Seaboard. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi is accompanying the Supreme… pic.twitter.com/8LWzOkc4Ut

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The Secretariat said the President expressed confidence in the discipline, enthusiasm and readiness of the crew, and stated that these qualities reassured her of the Indian Navy’s ability to counter threats under all circumstances.

It also said she described the indigenous submarine as an example of the Navy’s professional excellence, combat preparedness and commitment to national security.

Officials familiar with the sortie said the presence of the Supreme Commander onboard a submarine was significant given the demanding nature of undersea operations, which involve isolation, high risk, stealth and precision.

INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine commissioned under the Indian Navy’s Project 75 Scorpene programme and was inducted into service in January this year. According to Navy officials, it is among the most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines in the world.

The submarine is designed to carry out a wide range of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance and special operations.

It is equipped with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and advanced sonar systems. Its modular construction allows for future upgrades, including the possible integration of air-independent propulsion technology.

In November last year, President Murmu had witnessed an operational demonstration by the Indian Navy onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Reference: NDTV