Indian Navy receives fourth Kalvari-class submarine from MDL

The Indian Navy received Vela , its fourth of six Kalvari-class SSKs on order from MDL, in a ceremony held on 9 November in Mumbai. (Indian Navy)

The Indian Navy (IN) has received the fourth of six Kalvari (Scorpène)-class diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs) ordered from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

INS Vela , which was built in collaboration with France's Naval Group, was handed over during a ceremony held on 9 November in Mumbai and is expected to be commissioned ‘soon' to further enhance the service's operational capabilities, the Indian government's Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a statement.

Launched in May 2019, Vela , which was constructed as part of the navy's INR235.62 billion (USD3.18 billion) Project 75 programme, will join INS Kalvari , INS Khanderi , and INS Karanj , which were commissioned in December 2017, September 2019, and March 2021, respectively.

INS Vagir , the fifth boat of the class, was launched in November 2020 and is expected to enter service in 2022, while INS Vagsheer , the sixth and final SSK, is at an advanced stage of construction.

IN officials said all six Kalvari-class SSKs are likely to be in service by either late 2022 or early 2023.