India launches new submarine

India has launched another Scorpene-class submarine called ‘INS Vela’. This is the fourth submarine of this class that India has launched out of the six that India is currently building with collaboration from France. The submarine was launched at Mazagon Dockyard in Mumbai by Defence Production Secretary Ajay Kumar's wife, Veena Kumar. The Government owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has made a contract with French collaborator Ms Naval Group for construction and transferring technology for six Scorpene-class submarines, out of which INS Vela is the fourth in that series. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has previously launched INS Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj among which Kalvari has already been commissioned while the other submarines are under various trials and tests presently conducted by the navy. The previous generation INS Vela was originally commissioned back in August 31, 1973 and had served for 37 years and was the country’s oldest submarine which was decommissioned on June 25, 2010. MDL chairman and Managing Director Rakesh Anand said, "With the launch of P5 B Destroyer 'Imphal' on April 20 and Vela today, we have contributed towards the country's safety. We are in further talks with some companies from various countries. In some cases, the talks are at an advance stage. We cannot reveal it now". INS Vela too will undergo various tests and trials to be conducted by the navy before it is commissioned in the forces.

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