President Droupadi Murmu creates history with submarine sortie at INS Kadamba in Karwar

Karwar: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday created history by undertaking a sortie onboard the submarine INS Vagsheer at the INS Kadamba naval base in Karwar, becoming the first woman President of India and only the second President overall to travel in a submarine.

Former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam had earlier undertaken a submarine journey in 2006 aboard INS Sindhurakshak. The President arrived at the INS Kadamba naval base in a special helicopter from Goa in the morning.

She was received by Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, Fisheries and District In-charge Minister Mankal S Vaidya, Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner K Lakshmi Priya, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and other senior naval and civil officials.

Following the reception, President Murmu boarded the Kalvari-class submarine INS Vagsheer, dressed in naval uniform, and spent some time at sea along with senior Indian Navy officers. She later visited a frontline warship stationed at the base.

During the visit, senior naval officials briefed the President on the Navy’s operational preparedness, indigenous warship construction programme and the strategic importance of the Karwar-based INS Kadamba, one of Asia’s largest naval bases.

The President lauded the Indian Navy for its professionalism, technological advancements and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests. She particularly appreciated the progress made in indigenous defence manufacturing and the role of the Navy in ensuring security in the Indian Ocean Region.

In view of the President’s visit, fishing activities were temporarily suspended from the Goa border to Ankola, and elaborate security arrangements were put in place across the coastal belt. A multi-layered police and naval security cover ensured smooth conduct of the high-profile visit.

INS Vagsheer: a symbol of indigenous strength

INS Vagsheer was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 15, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The submarine is the latest addition to the Kalvari-class fleet and has been built indigenously at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, based on the French Scorpène design.

The submarine is capable of achieving speeds of up to 37 kmph (20 knots) underwater and can dive to depths of around 350 metres.

Equipped with advanced stealth technology, heavyweight torpedoes and Exocet anti-ship missiles, INS Vagsheer is among the world’s most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines. Its sophisticated sonar systems enable intelligence gathering, surveillance and a wide range of maritime operations.

Naval sources said the Indian Navy is steadily enhancing infrastructure at Karwar, keeping in mind India’s long-term strategic and security interests in the Indian Ocean Region.

A series of historic firsts

President Murmu’s visit to INS Kadamba marks yet another milestone in her tenure. She is the first President to visit the Karwar naval base and the first woman President to undertake a submarine journey.

Earlier, in October last year, she had flown in a Rafale fighter aircraft from the Ambala Air Force Station, becoming the first President to do so. In April 2023, she had also flown in a Sukhoi-30 MKI from the Tezpur Air Force Station, making her the first President to fly in two different types of fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

Her achievements underscore India’s growing military capabilities and the increasing role of women in the country’s highest constitutional and defence-related milestones.

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