Indian Navy's fourth stealth Scorpene class submarine INS Vela launched for trials

The Indian Navy launched INS Vela, the fourth stealth Scorpene class submarine, from Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Limited for trials on Monday. The two other submarines in the country's Scorpene Submarine programme are Vagir and Vagsheer and they are currently in the advanced stages of manufacturing at MDL. The navy had launched Project-75, under which six submarines are to be developed. INS Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene class submarines built under Project 75.The Submarine was commissioned on 14 December 2017. INS Chakra is an 8,140-tonne Akula class, nuclear-powered submarine..The submarine was commissioned on 04 April, 2012.

INS Vela will undergo a number of tests by the Indian Navy before it gets commissioned in the defence fleet, the official added. It is the fourth submarine to be launched by the state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) after entering into a contract for the construction and transfer of technology for six Scorpene class submarines with French collaborator Ms Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS). "Today, we are bringing the new Vela with modern machinery and technology to guard the seas," an official from MDL said.

INS Vela was first commissioned on August 31, 1973 in the Indian Naval service and continued to serve for 37 years. It was the oldest submarine of the country when it was decommissioned on June 25, 2010, MDL said in a statement. The fifth Scorpene class submarine will also be launched soon, he said.

MDL recently reported an annual turnover of Rs 4,500 crore, the official added. Sindhughosh class submarines are the Kilo class diesel-electric submarines. They are designated 877EKM, and were built under a contract between Rosvooruzhenie and the Ministry of Defence (India). The submarines have a displacement of 3,000 tonnes, a maximum diving depth of 300 meters, top speed of 18 knots, and are able to operate solo for 45 days with a crew of 53.