India commissions 4th Kalvari-class (Scorpene) diesel electric attack submarine

 

The INS Vela (S24). Photo c/o Tribune India.

The Indian Navy commissioned its fourth Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine on 25 November 2021.

The submarine was commissioned as the INS Vela (S24) , with Indian Navy Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Karambir Singh leading the ceremonies held at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard.

It is the second ship of the Indian Navy to be using the same name, with the first INS Vela (S40) being the lead ship of the Vela-class attack submarine based on the Soviet Foxtrot-class submarine, and was decommissioned in 2010.

The INS Vela is part of the 6-ship Kalvari-class, which is based on the French-designed Scorpene-class diesel-electric attack submarine from Naval Group, and are considered as one of the most advanced conventional powered submarine in the world. 

The submarines are locally built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. under the Indian Navy's Project P-75 Program, and is among the centerpiece projects under the Indian government’s “Make in India” program.

They are armed with six torpedo tubes, which can fire up to 18 heavy torpedoes, SM-39 Exocet submarine-launched anti-ship missiles, and mines.

It is also equipped with a permanent magnetic synchronous motor, allowing for quiet operations. 

Two more ships of the class, the Vagir and Vagsheer, and in different stages of construction and sea trials, and are expected to be commissioned to the Indian Navy by 2022.




[1] Naval News
[2] The Hindu
[3] Hindustan Times