INS Vela to be launched for trials: Key points

* The INS Vela is the fourth of the six submarines of Scorpene class that has completed its out fittings at the Mazagon Dock.
* The out fittings were completed under a 2005 contract signed with France's DCNS — now rebranded as the Naval Group — as part of Indian Navy's Project-75.
* The first submarine was scheduled to be delivered by 2012, but the project witnessed repeated delays.
* Of the six submarines, INS Kalvari was commissioned in December last year while INS Khanderi and INS Karanj are in advanced stages to join the Navy fleet
* The remaining two — INS Vagir and INS Vagsheer are in the "advanced stages of manufacturing" at the Mazagon Dock.
* The development assumes significance as Chinese ships increase their presence in the Indian Ocean.
* It said China's submarine force will grow between 65 and 70 by 2020.
* Then there is also the larger threat on water, including guided-missile cruisers, guided-missile destroyers, and guided-missile frigates, aircraft carriers, amphibious warships and more.
* On Sunday, Britain's Daily Mirror reported that talks are underway for India to buy detailed plans for the 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and build an indigenous version based on it called INS Vishal in 2022.