INS VELA submarine launched

Vela, the fourth Scorpene class submarine being constructedby Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for the Indian Navy, was launched onMonday.

The submarines are being built at Mazagon Dock Limited, with the main collaborator being M/s Naval group, France. The steel cutting for this submarine commenced in July 2009. The submarine has completed joining of all its sections. This submarine would be using Indigenous developed batteries by M/s Exide, India.

The step was taken by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) inthe ongoing 'Make in India' programme, which is being actively implemented bythe Department of Defence Production (MoD).