INS Vela Commissioned into Indian Navy on Republic Day

On the occasion of India’s Republic Day, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Vela, an indigenously built Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime defence capabilities. The commissioning underscores India’s continued focus on strengthening undersea warfare and achieving greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

INS Vela has been constructed under Project-75 at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, in collaboration with French technology partners. Project-75 envisages the induction of six Kalvari-class submarines, all based on the Scorpène design, to modernise the Navy’s conventional submarine fleet.

The submarine is equipped with advanced stealth features, state-of-the-art sensors, and modern weapon systems, enabling it to conduct anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its low acoustic signature enhances survivability and operational effectiveness in contested maritime environments.

The induction of INS Vela significantly boosts India’s undersea deterrence posture, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which has witnessed increased strategic competition and naval presence in recent years. Submarines play a critical role in sea denial, power projection and protection of vital sea lines of communication.

The commissioning also reflects progress under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, as a substantial portion of the submarine’s components and systems are sourced domestically. The project has contributed to the development of a skilled industrial ecosystem, technology transfer and capacity-building in India’s shipbuilding sector.

Naval officials emphasised that the addition of INS Vela enhances the Indian Navy’s ability to safeguard national maritime interests and maintain a favourable balance of power in the region. Overall, the commissioning represents a strategic step in strengthening India’s maritime security architecture and its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.