The Indian Navy on Monday launched the fourth of the six stealth Scorpene class Submarines of Project 75, INS Vela at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. Defence production secretary Ajay Kumar as the chief guest of the event. His wife Veena Ajay Kumar launched the submarine. INS Vela was first commissioned on August 31, 1973 in the Indian Naval Service and continued to serve for 37 years and was decommissioned on June 25, 2010, MDL said in a statement. According to reports, eight warships and five submarines are under construction at MDL. The submarine was manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ programme.
Indian Navy’s Tweet:
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
The submarine was towed to Mumbai Port Trust, for separation from the pontoon, after which she will undergo rigorous trials and tests, both in harbour and at sea before delivery to the Indian Navy. The contract for the construction and Transfer-of-Technology for six Scorpene class submarines in series, has M/s Naval Group (formerly DCNS) of France as ‘Collaborator’ and are being built by MDL. Indian Navy to Get 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts; Defence Ministry Signs Two Contracts With Cochin Shipyard and GRSE.
Indian Navy’s Tweet:
Some more pics from the launch ceremony at M/s. MDL Mumbai pic.twitter.com/PT8vxaD81e
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 6, 2019
Cmde Rakesh Anand, Chairman and Managing Director, MDL said on the occasion that with the launching of the P15 B Destroyer ‘Imphal’ on 20 April 2019 and the, launching of Vela on 06 May 2019, were indeed some of the major events for MDL so far this year. Presently Eight Warships and five submarines are under construction at MDL. MDL is one of the India’s leading shipyards with a capacity to meet requirements of the Indian Navy. Indian Navy to Get 10 Kamov-31 Russian Choppers; Defence Ministry Approves Rs 3,600 Crore Deal.
Leveraging the experience and the transfer-of-technology of the Scorpene project, with enhanced and upgraded infrastructure, MDL, is ready for undertaking construction of the future submarines.
Last year in December, the Navy commissioned the first Scorpene submarine, INS Kalvari. Meanwhile, the second and the third submarines, INS Khanderi and INS Karanj are in the advanced stages to join the Navy fleet. The two other submarines- INS Vagir and INS Vagsheer are currently being manufactured at the MDL.
The Scorpene class of submarines can undertake multifarious tasks typically undertaken by any modern submarine which include anti-surface as well as anti-submarine warfare. The transfer of technology involves appropriate technical support by Naval Group to MDL in the field of construction, integration and tests of the submarines in India which is achieved through transfer of technical data package to MDL through information system as well as on job training to MDL’s personnel on critical technologies.
(Picture Courtesy: Twitter/@indiannavy)
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