In a shot in the arm for the Indian Navy, the country's fourth Scorpene-class submarine, INS Vela, will be commissioned on Thursday. The Eastern Naval Command released a video of the INS Vela undergoing sea trials and its features on Wednesday.
INS Vela was delivered to the Indian Navy earlier this month after more than two years of sea trials. The submarine was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai through transfer of technology from French firm Naval Group.
"It is a proud moment for all of us. It has an indigenous set of batteries and has an advanced communication suite of indigenous make, taking the concept of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' further," ANI quoted Captain Anish Mathew, Commanding Officer of INS Vela, as saying.
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Known for its advanced stealth and combat capabilities, Scorpene-class submarines can undertake varied missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc.
Attacks can also be carried out using both torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles, underwater or on surface.
So far, three submarines have been commissioned -- INS Kalvari (December 2017), INS Khanderi (September 2019), INS Karanj (March 2021). The fifth submarine, INS Vagir, is undergoing harbour trials. The sixth submarine, INS Vagsheer, is in the advanced stage of outfitting.