INS Vela- Fourth Scorpene Class Submarine

INS Vela- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 3: Security- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

Recently, the Indian Navy took delivery of the fourth `Scorpene’ class submarine- INS Vela from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
Previously, the shipyard delivered three submarines of the “Scorpene’’ class: Kalvari, Khanderi, and Karanj.

Background: The first INS Vela was first commissioned on August 31, 1973, in the Indian Naval Service and continued to serve for 37 years.
- It was the country’s oldest submarine when it was decommissioned on June 25, 2010
- Present INS Vela, the fourth `Scorpene’ class submarine, was launched in May 2019.
About: INS Vela is the fourth `Scorpene’ class submarine under Project 75 for the Indian Navy. INS Vela is an attack submarine based on the Scorpène class.
- It is a diesel-electric submarine and was named ‘Vela’ after erstwhile ‘INS Vela’.

State-of-art technology: INS Vela is known to have advanced stealth and combat capabilities when it comes to engaging with the enemy. For example-
- Advanced acoustic silencing techniques,
- Low radiated noise levels,
- Hydro-dynamically optimised shape and
- Ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons
Attacks can be carried out using both torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles at the same time, underwater or on the surface.

About: Under Project 75, six Scorpene-class submarines are to be constructed for the Indian Navy by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
- Scorpene-class submarines are next-generation diesel submarines.
Present status of Six Scorpene-class Submarines under Project 75:
- INS Kalvar: It was launched in October 2015 and was commissioned in December 2017 – five years behind schedule.
- INS Khanderi: It was launched in January 2017 for trials and commissioned in September 2019.
- INS Karanj: It was launched in January 2018 and commissioned on March 10, 2021.
- INS Vela: was launched in May 2019 and inducted recently.
- INS Vagir: It was launched in November 2020 and has commenced harbour trials. It is expected to go for its maiden surface sortie in December 2021.
- INS Vagsheer: It is in the advanced stage of outfitting.
Promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat: These Submarines are to be constructed under technology transfer from and in collaboration with the Naval Group of France.