INS Vela being commissioned | Photo: Indian Navy
The Indian Navy commissioned the INS Vela, the fourth of six Project-75 Scorpene submarines in the presence of the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh in Mumbai on Thursday.
The INS Vela (Stingray) was built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in collaboration with France’s Naval Group, formerly known as DCNS.
Admiral Karambir Singh and Captain Anish Matthew with Rear Admiral J.M.S. Sodhi (retired) and other officials at the commissioning of INS Vela | Photo: Indian Navy
Admiral Karambir Singh said, “The platform in front of us today showcases India’s notable strides in indigenous submarine construction, as also the journey from being a ‘Buyer’s Navy to a Builder’s Navy’. We witnessed a glimpse of this journey few days back as well, when INS Visakhapatnam was commissioned on 21 November.”
Referring to the forthcoming new submarine acquisition, he added, “While the Project 75 has been an important step in enhancing the Navy’s capability, we are simultaneously progressing Project 75-I, under the Strategic Partnership Model, which envisions achieving complete self-reliance in submarine construction and life cycle sustenance. The Project 75-I aims to develop all facets of the submarine construction ecosystem within the Nation and also involves transfer of several niche technologies.”
[stextbox id=’stratpost’ color=’000000′ ccolor=’ffffff’ bcolor=’000000′ bgcolor=’ffffff’ cbgcolor=’000000′ bgcolorto=’ffffff’ cbgcolorto=’000000′]
The crest of the INS Vela | Image: Indian Navy
The traditional crest for Indian Naval ships consists of three sail ships on top symbolising India’s rich maritime history. The ribbon of crown depicts the Ashoka wheel surrounded by a horse and a bull. A ring of lotus buds encircles the unique motif of each ship. Vela, being named after a type of Indian fish belonging to the stingray family, the crest depicts the fish swimming across the blue seas. The stingray is known for stealth, aggression and offensive power. Its flat body allows it to sit on the bottom of the ocean, camouflage itself to predators swimming above as it lurks for its prey underneath.
Insignia of the INS Vela | Image: Indian Navy
The submarine’s mascot is the ‘Sub-Ray’ which is an amalgamation of the submarine and the stingray. It symbolises the metamorphosis of the submarine’s character with the qualities of a stingray. The submarine’s logo depicts the Sub-Ray lurking in the sea with the backdrop of the national flag symbolizing the unit being dedicated to the national cause.
[/stextbox]Initially known as Yard 11878, the construction of the new Vela began with the first cutting of steel on July 14, 2009 and was launched and named Vela on May 06, 2019. It was finally handed over to the Indian Navy earlier this month, on November 09, 2021.
Rear Admiral J.M.S. Sodhi (then Lt. Cdr) at the commissioning of the erstwhile INS Vela | Photo: Indian Navy
Intended to be part of the Western Naval Command, the commissioning took place in the presence of the crew of the older INS Vela including Rear Admiral J.M.S. Sodhi, who was the commissioning CO of the Foxtrot-class submarine commissioned on August 31 1973 and decommissioned on January 25, 2010. This time the commissioning warrant was read out by Captain Anish Matthew.
Watch the Video Feature by the Indian Navy on the INS Vela
