MDL delivers 4th P-75 (I) scorpene submarine ‘Vela’ to Indian Navy

New Delhi: The fourth submarine of the Project – 75, Yard 11878 delivered to the Indian Navy on Tuesday. Project – 75 includes the construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, collaborating with M/s Naval Group, France. Christened 'Vela', the submarine was launched on May 06, 2019, and has completed all major harbour and sea trials including weapon and sensor trials despite COVID restrictions.

Three of these P-75 submarines are already in commission with the Indian Navy.

The state-of-the-art technology utilized in the rebuilt Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic absorption techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch an attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons. The attack can be established with both torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, underwater or on the surface. The stealth of this potent platform is enhanced by the special attention provided to her characteristic underwater signatures. These stealth features give it an invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines.

Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions i.e Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, Intelligence gathering, Mine Laying, Area Surveillance etc. The Submarine is designed to operate in all operation theatres, showcasing interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It is a powerful platform, marking a transformational shift in submarine operations. Two submarines of the ongoing Project-75 Scorpene programme at MDL, Kalvari and Khanderi, have been commissioned into the Indian Navy.

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Submarine construction is an intricate activity as the difficulty is compounded when all equipment is required to be miniaturised and are subject to stringent quality requirements. The construction of these submarines in an Indian yard is yet another step towards 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat.'

The submarine would soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy and enhance the Indian Navies capability.

What is Project 75 India (P-75I)

Project 75 India (P75I) is a project to upgrade the Indian Navy's submarine capabilities. Under Project-75 (I) India will manufacture six conventional submarines with better sensors and weapons and the Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP). The P75I project is part of a 30-year submarine building plan that ends in 2030. As part of this plan, India was to build 24 submarines — 18 conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) — as an effective deterrent against China and Pakistan.

On June 04 this year the DAC headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had approved the issuance of a Request For Proposal (RFP) for the construction of six conventional submarines under Project-75I at an estimated cost of Rs 43,000 crore. P-75(I) was originally approved in 2007.

As per PIB, Project 75 India is the first under the strategic partnership model which was promulgated in 2017 to boost indigenous defence manufacturing.

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