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The Indian Navy has marked a significant milestone in enhancing the safety and operational readiness of its submarine crews with the inauguration of 'Vinetra', the Kalvari Submarine Escape Training Facility.
Commissioned on Friday at INS Satavahana in Visakhapatnam by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to significantly boost the escape capabilities of crews aboard the Kalvari-class submarines in the event of an underwater emergency.
Developed indigenously by M/s L&T Defence, Vinetra features a five-meter escape tower integrated with a diving basin, offering both basic and refresher training to submarine crews. This aligns perfectly with India’s 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative, underlining the country's focus on achieving self-reliance in critical defense capabilities.
The facility is a crucial addition to the Indian Navy's training infrastructure, providing submariners with realistic training environments and scenarios to enhance their skills in emergency protocols and escape procedures. It not only strengthens the Navy’s overall safety framework but also boosts the confidence of the submariners, equipping them with the necessary capabilities to manage potential underwater crises effectively.
Vice Admiral Pendharkar emphasized the significance of such advanced training mechanisms, stating, "The commissioning of the Vinetra facility underlines our focus on building a self-reliant defense force and significantly enhances our operational readiness. It ensures our submariners are trained in accordance with the highest standards of safety and preparedness.”
The Kalvari-class submarines, a series of diesel-electric attack submarines based on the Scorpène-class, form a key component of India's underwater warfare capabilities. With the commissioning of Vinetra, the Indian Navy has taken a giant leap in safeguarding the lives of its submariners and enhancing their preparedness for any eventuality.
