Watch: President Droupadi Murmu takes sortie aboard submarine INS Vaghsheer

President Droupadi Murmu added a striking chapter to India’s naval history on Sunday by undertaking a submarine sortie onboard the indigenously built frontline submarine INS Vaghsheer.

Part of the Indian Navy’s Kalvari‑class fleet, the submarine set out from the Karwar Naval Base on the Western Seaboard, giving the President a firsthand look at its capabilities beneath the waves.

It was President Murmu’s first submarine sortie, and importantly, she became only the second President of India ever to experience such an underwater mission. The late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was the first, when he embarked on a submarine sortie in 2006.

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Historic moment aboard India’s submarine fleet

In an official post on social media, the Rashtrapati Bhavan wrote: “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.”

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President Murmu, who also serves as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, donned a naval uniform ahead of the mission and received a warm salute from naval personnel before entering the submarine.

Accompanying her on the mission was Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, underlining the importance of the sortie within India’s broader maritime strategic framework.

A symbol of India’s indigenous naval strength

INS Vaghsheer is part of India’s Project‑75 Scorpene programme and was commissioned into service earlier this year. It is the sixth and final submarine in the series, designed for versatile operations including anti‑surface and anti‑submarine warfare, area surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The submarine’s advanced design and silent running capabilities make it a key asset in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.