India Launches 4th Scorpene Class Submarine Vela

Indian Navy's fourth stealth Scorpene class Submarine Vela was launched yesterday (May 06, 2019)for trials at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.

The launch of the submarine is a major boost for the underwater capability of the Indian Navy, claimed a press release. Vela is the fourth of the six Scorpene submarine that has completed the out fittings at MDL.

The Vela submarine, the fourth of six underwater warships being built in India with French collaboration,  will undergo a number of tests conducted by the Navy before it is commissioned in the defence fleet, an official said.

Defence production secretary Ajay Kumar's wife Veena Ajay Kumar launched the submarine at Mazagon Dockyard in Mumbai.
 
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.

Commodore 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.

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.

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.