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The Indian Navy took delivery of the fourth `Scorpene’ class submarine under Project-75 from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)

Details

• They are being constructed at MDL in Mumbai and under the collaboration/Transfer of Technology from M/s Naval Group, France.
• Yard 11878, christened ‘Vela’, was launched in May 2019.
• This yard has been in the country’s indigenous warship building programme and has constructed the newly inducted Vishakhapatnam class of Destroyers, Shivalik class Stealth Frigates, Khukri class Corvettes, Leander & Godavari class Frigates, Missile Boats, Delhi & Kolkata class Destroyers.

What is Project 75?

• Project 75 dates back to 1997 when a plan was approved by the Ministry of Defence for acquiring 24 submarines under it.
• Later in 2005, a contract between India and France was signed for building six Scorpene-class submarines with Mazagon Docks Limited on the Indian side and the Naval Group on the French side.
• Earlier, INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, and INS Karanj were commissioned followed by INS Vela.

About ‘INS Vela’

• INS Vela is the fourth submarine out of the six submarine series of Project – 75.
• These are scorpene class submarines built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai in collaboration with the Naval Group, France.
• The scorpene class submarines are designed with stealth features and possess long range torpedoes as well as anti-ship missiles.
• They have state of the art SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) and sensor suites that allow effective operation capabilities along with Permanent Magnetic Synchronous motor and propulsion motor. 
• The hull, fin and hydroplanes enable reduced underwater resistance.
• The equipment in the pressure hull is housed on a shock-absorbing cradle.

Capabilities of Vela

• It is capable of indulging in offensive operations covering naval warfare in its entirety.
• Besides, it is capable of engaging in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, collecting intelligence data, mine laying and area surveillance. 
• The diesel electric-powered submarine can perform sea denial and access denial warfare.