President Murmu undertakes maiden dive sortie aboard indigenous submarine INS Vaghsheer at Karwar Naval Base

Karwar (Karnataka) [India], December 28 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday undertook a dived sortie on the Western Seaboard aboard the Indian Navy's indigenous Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer from the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi accompanied the President during the sortie.

Rashtrapati Bhavan in an official statement said, "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 Commander of the Armed Forces."
This marks President Murmu's maiden sortie aboard a Kalvari-class submarine, making her the second President of India to undertake such an experience after former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

"This maiden sortie onboard a Kalvari Class Submarine by President Droupadi Murmu is the second by President of India, after former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam," the post further read.

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

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 28, 2025

During the dive sortie, President Murmu was briefed on the role of the submarine arm in India's maritime strategy and the operational capabilities and contributions in safeguarding national maritime interests, as per an official statement.
President Murmu also interacted with the crew of INS Vaghsheer and commended their dedication, commitment and spirit of selfless service.
During her visit President Murmu also lauded the indigenous submarine as a "shining example" of Indian Navy professional excellence, combat preparedness and unwavering commitment to national security.

INS Vagsheer, the sixth P75 Kalvari-class submarine, was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 15, 2025.
The event was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and several other senior dignitaries. Naval Group's Chairman & CEO, Pierre Eric Pommellet, was also present alongside Naval Group's team from France and India to mark this significant milestone, according to a Naval Group release.
INS Vagsheer is built by the Indian shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) based on the Naval Group's Scorpene design.
Launched on 20 April 2022, INS Vagsheer has completed successful sea trials and now has joined its sister vessels INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela and INS Vagir, which were commissioned respectively in December 2017, September 2019, March 2021, November 2021 and January 2023.
The commissioning of INS Vagsheer highlights the success of India's indigenous submarine construction programme. This submarine has been fully built by MDL, with technology transfer from Naval Group, in line with the Indian Government's "Make in India" policy. (ANI)