Fifth Of India's Underwater Fleet Out Of Action

[Windjammer]

Navy loses most modern submarine, a fifth of its fleet now out of action - Indian Express

The loss of the INS Sindhurakshak — there is no official word yet but sources say that the twin explosions will result in a total write-off for the vessel — is a crippling blow for the Indian Navy which already stacks up poorly when it comes to underwater capabilities.

Not only was the vessel the Navy's most modern submarine, having returned just three months back after extensive refit and modernisation in Russia, its loss means that 20 per cent of India's underwater fleet is now inoperable. The remaining are at the very end of their service lives and have been given extensions to ensure they remain operational.

While the authorised strength of the Navy is 24 conventional submarines, the actual strength has been steadily decreasing over the past few years with the decommissioning of the older Foxtrot class of Russian vessels.

According to the current record books, India has only two classes of submarines — four older generation HDW 209 Shishumar class and 10 Russian origin Kilo Sindhughosh class submarines which the Navy considers as its cutting-edge fleet. Even this on-paper strength is not adequate to protect India's 7,500 km coastline, forget about operations in faraway waters.

Of the 10 Kilo class submarines, two are currently undergoing a refit that could stretch over years. The INS Sindhukirti has been undergoing a refit at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) since 2003, with many in the Navy giving up hope that it will ever sail again. The newest of the Kilo class, the Sindhushastra, too is up for refit at HSL.

The refitted Sindhurakshak — its Rs 815-crore modernisation plan gave it the latest land and ship attack missiles, a new sonar system and a Porpoise radio locater to detect enemy warships — was to render service for another 15 years.

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

All eyes on the Scorpène-class submarines, 6 submarines to be delivered till 2021, first submarine to be rolled out from Mazgoan Docks in Mumbai in early 2015 and to be commissioned on Navy day in December 2016, their construction started on 23 May 2009.

BTW I guess INS Aridhaman, second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine of Arihant Class is to be launched this year only, currently it is being outfitted, any updates???

 

[GR!FF!N]

I think we should think about Russian offer about jointly develop subs..we need this capability desperately..we actually can jointly develop something on Amur(more capable version) and armed it with long range missiles..this P-75 or P-75I means sh!t in terms of indigenisation...

by the way,is P-75 and P-75I is coming with full tech transfer???

 

[ejaz007]

Sub Fire A Major Setback for Indian Navy

NEW DELHI — In a major setback to the Indian Navy’s already depleted submarine strength, a Russian-made kilo-class submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, caught fire at the naval dockyard in Mumbai at midnight Aug. 13 and partially sank, with all 18 crew members declared dead.

Another kilo-class sub, INS Sindhuratna, also was damaged in the fire.

INS Sindhurakshak was prepared for patrol at the time of the fire and was fully loaded with weapons, including torpedoes and cruise missiles, said Navy sources.

Navy officials said the submarine caught fire following explosions but the cause of the explosion is not known. A Defence Ministry source said it seems standard operating procedures may not have been followed. A board of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the fire.

The Navy source said the submarine has been badly damaged and is likely lost.

In 2010, there were explosions in the same submarine when it was docked at Visakhapatnam, killing one crew member. An investigation cited a faulty battery valve that leaked hydrogen. The submarine sailed to Russia for refit.

In 2008, another Russian-made kilo-class sub, INS Sindhugosh, collided with a merchant vessel off Mumbai while participating in a naval exercise.

The damage to Sindhurakshak and the second submarine docked alongside has left the Navy with only 11 operational subs.

With decommissionings planned in coming years of aging German HDW-class submarines, the Navy’s submarine fleet could fall to as few as seven, the Navy source added.

The Navy operated 21 submarines in the 1980s. Today, the Chinese sub fleet exceeds 60 vessels and is a point of major concern to the Indian Navy, said an Indian Navy official.

Meanwhile, French-made Scorpene submarines that will be license-produced at Mazagon Docks are nearly 36 months behind schedule and the MoD has yet to float a global tender for the purchase of six conventional submarines with air independent propulsion technology. This project was cleared in late 2010 but no decision has been made whether private sector shipyards will be allowed to participate in the $12 billion tender.

Prior to the Sindhurakshak fire, only 50 percent of the 10 kilo-class submarines in the fleet were fully operational, added the Navy official.

Sindhurakshak Upgrade

The 2010 Sindhurakshak upgrade involved a complete overhaul of the submarine, including the hull structures, as well as improved control systems, sonar, electronic warfare systems, and an integrated weapon control system and installation of Klub missiles.

Indian Dockyards

Indian Navy dockyards do not have adequate repair facilities for submarines, and major refits of kilo subs have to be done in Russia. The poor repair facilities even hamper day-to-day repairs, said the Navy source.

Sub Fire A Major Setback for Indian Navy | Defense News | defensenews.com

 

[Star Wars]

All eyes on the Scorpène-class submarines, 6 submarines to be delivered till 2021, first submarine to be rolled out from Mazgoan Docks in Mumbai in early 2015 and to be commissioned on Navy day in December 2016, their construction started on 23 May 2009.

BTW I guess INS Aridhaman, second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine of Arihant Class is to be launched this year only, currently it is being outfitted, any updates???

NO....the Scorpene is on schedule form what i heard and is to be delivered by 2018 starting from 1015...

 

[Screambowl]

I don'T understand, why Indian Navy doesn't go for german U-Boats?

 

[Indo-guy]

of the 14 submarine left only maximum 8-10 will be operational at any time . And that too is an optimistic scenario.
We are seriously short of subs now. Given current status our submarine arm not capable to take on Chinese ...Let's be realistic. But do we have any choice ? Buying new subs off the shelves - is that option available to us ? I mean is it tenable given the state of economy ?

 

[nair]

All eyes on the Scorpène-class submarines, 6 submarines to be delivered till 2021, first submarine to be rolled out from Mazgoan Docks in Mumbai in early 2015 and to be commissioned on Navy day in December 2016, their construction started on 23 May 2009.

BTW I guess INS Aridhaman, second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine of Arihant Class is to be launched this year only, currently it is being outfitted, any updates???

I thought it is in the drawing stage... When did they start constructing it?

 

[abbas.hasan]

AS if the two 33-35 year old Agosta 70's of PN are properly operational.
India has to deal with only 3 pak submarines so the 12 submarines + 2 under refit are more than enough.

Only 3-4 of China's subs has the capability to reach IOR.

ur figures need a serious upgradation! but does not matter if u live in 80s or 90s!

 

[Windjammer]

AS if the two 33-35 year old Agosta 70's of PN are properly operational.
India has to deal with only 3 pak submarines so the 12 submarines + 2 under refit are more than enough.

Only 3-4 of China's subs has the capability to reach IOR.

Indians and their Pakistan obsession ...whatever happened to the dream of becoming some kind of micro power. !!

 

[Brahmos_2]

AS if the two 33-35 year old Agosta 70's of PN are properly operational.
India has to deal with only 3 pak submarines so the 12 submarines + 2 under refit are more than enough.

Only 3-4 of China's subs has the capability to reach IOR.

Who cares,IN s P-8I in Andaman will take care of them...

 

[rcrmj]

ur figures need a serious upgradation! but does not matter if u live in 80s or 90s!

have you ever find an indian who is not neither living in the past nor illusive future?

 

[Lightningbolt]

get lost troll!!!

Indian submarines are just outdated early 1980's submarines.
A handful of surface ships.
A tiny 22,000 ton aircraft carrier from the 1950's.

Just facts mate.

Indian submarines are now exploding to make matters worse.

 

[asad71]

Indian submarines are just outdated early 1980's submarines.
A handful of surface ships.
A tiny 22,000 ton aircraft carrier from the 1950's.

Just facts mate.

Indian submarines are now exploding to make matters worse.

1.India has a compulsive urge to try and upgrade everything, including redundant eqpt, in an effort to boast this to be Indian.And in the process completely bug--r the eqpt.

2. In is the weakest link in India's defense set up because of professional incompetence, indiscipline and endemic corruption.

 

[gslv mk3]

1.India has a compulsive urge to try and upgrade everything, including redundant eqpt, in an effort to boast this to be Indian.And in the process completely bug--r the eqpt.

2. In is the weakest link in India's defense set up because of professional incompetence, indiscipline and endemic corruption.

a truck load of BS as usual.