Mumbai, May 6: The Indian Navy on Monday launched the fourth stealth Scorpene class submarine INS Vela of Project 75. The submarine was launched at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. The INS Vela is the fourth of the six Scorpene class submarine that has completed its out fittings at MDL. Last year in December, the Navy commissioned the first Scorpene submarine, INS Kalvari. Indian Navy to Get 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts; Defence Ministry Signs Second Contract.

Meanwhile, the second and the third submarines, INS Khanderi and INS Karanj are in the advanced stages to join the Navy fleet. The two other submarines- INS Vagir and INS Vagsheer are currently being manufactured at the MDL. Indian Navy Confirms Re-Deployment of Nuclear Submarine, Aircraft Carrier in Arabian Sea Post Pulwama Attack.

In 2005, French firm Direction des Constructions Navales (DCNS) had signed a contract with the MDL for the supply of six Scorpene submarines. All these submarines are under the Indian Navy’s Project-75. The Scorpène-class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines. As per the contract, these submarines were to be delivered between 2012 and 2016, but the project is running six years behind schedule.

Last month, the Indian Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba launched a guided missile destroyer INS Imphal at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai. The INS Imphal is the third ship of Project 15B. The ship has been designed indigenously by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 06, 2019 12:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).