INS Vela, joined the ranks of Indian Navy’s Scorpene class Submarines today after it was commissioned at an event in Mumbai today, in the presence of Admiral Karambir Singh, the Chief of Naval Staff. This is the latest version of the Vela, the first one in service for 37 years, from 1973 till 2010. The earlier Vela was of Foxtrot Class, Soviet origin.

“INS Vela can undertake an entire spectrum of submarine operations. Given today's dynamic and complex security situation, its capability and firepower will play a crucial role in enhancing the navy's ability to protect India's maritime interests” – Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff

INS Vela is the fourth of the Scorpene-class submarines, under Project 75 and it has been built by Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in collaboration with M/s Naval Group of France. Earlier on 21 November the Indian Navy commissioned its first stealth guided missile destroyer ship INS Visakhapatnam. Equipped with indigenous weapons, the ship is capable of a full spectrum of maritime warfare.

INS Vela, the fourth Scorpene-class submarine, commissioned into the Indian Navy, in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, at the naval dockyard in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/7sfdO8t1FI

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2021

About INS Vela

This submarine possesses advanced stealth and combat capabilities, wherein underwater as well as surface attacks can be carried out using torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles. The Commanding Officer of INS Vela, Captain Anish Matthew told ANI that the submarines set of batteries and advanced communication suite are both indigenous.  The previous version of Vela was commissioned in 1973 and was de-commissioned in 2010.

Mumbai | Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh onboard INS Vela soon after it was commissioned into the Indian Navy pic.twitter.com/lIdIPml44M

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2021

About Project 75

Project 75 was conceptualized under the erstwhile IK Gujral government, when the plan was to induct 25 submarines in the Indian Navy. The project evolved into a 30 year plan for building indigenous submarines. India and France in 2005 signed a USD3.75 Billion contract for building six Scorpene class submarines. DCNS, now called Naval Group is the French partner to Mazgaon Docks Shipbuilder Ltd in this project. As per reports, due to the reluctance of the French partners in executing the promised technology transfer, the project was clouded by delays, resulting in a five year delay to the commissioning of the first of the six Scorpene class submarines, INS Kalvari.