Indian Navy’s fourth Stealth Scorpene Class Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vela has been launched on Monday by the Secretary (Defence Production) Ajay Kumar, at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
Also Read,
Cyclone Fani shows Catastrophic Effect, Know the Damage and Rescue Operations
Submarine Vela which is equipped with modern machinery and technology to guard the seas will undergo a number of tests by the Indian Navy before it is commissioned in the defence fleet, informed an official.
The fourth of the #IndianNavy’s stealth Scorpene class Submarines of Project 75 #Vela has been launched today at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). Secretary @DefProdnIndia @drajaykumar_ias was the Chief Guest for the Launch ceremony. @Cmdmdl @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/aABxobCP2r
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 6, 2019
In the year 2005, French firm DCNS (now Naval Group) had signed a contract with the MDL under Indian Navy’s Project-75 for the supply of six submarines. The first submarine INS Kalvari was commissioned in December last year while the other two, INS Khanderi and INS Karanj are in the advanced stages to join the fleet of Indian Navy.
Also Read,
Aftermath of Masood Azhar being Declared Global Terrorist: BJP versus Opposition Politics
INS Vela is the fourth of six Scorpene Submarines that has completed it’s out fitting at the MDL. While the rest two submarines which are the fifth and the sixth Submarines Vagir and Vagsheer respectively are currently in the advanced stages of manufacturing at the MDL. The reports states that the fifth submarine will also be launched soon.
INS Vela was first commissioned on August 31, 1973 in the Indian Naval services 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.
Experts maintain that at least 24 submarines are required by Indian Navy to meet the 30 year submarine building plan, which was approved in 1999 by the then Cabinet Committee on Security. It is to be noted that the plan was approved after Kargil war.
Also Read,
The Scorpene submarines are capable of undertaking different types of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance. These submarines are capable of operating in all theatres and they are equipped to ensure interoperability with other components of Navy.
What is Project 75 of the Indian Navy?
Under the Project 75, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six diesel-electric submarines, which will also feature advanced air-independent propulsion systems to enable them to stay submerged for a longer duration and substantially increase their operational range. All six submarines are being constructed in Indian shipyards.
Also Read,
Bollywood Film Producer Firoz Nadiadwala behind the Bars for not paying TDS
What is a Scorpene Class Submarine?
The Scorpene-class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines jointly developed by the French Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) and the Spanish company Navantia, and now by Naval Group. It features diesel propulsion and an additional air-independent propulsion (AIP).
