INS

The Indian Navy has decided to dispose of the defunct submarine INS Sindhurakshak, following a feasibility study about its reuse.

The 3,000t submarine had a major fire break-out in August 2013, followed by a series of explosions.

The accident resulted in the death of all the 18 Navy personnel on-board. The submarine, which sunk near the Mumbai harbour, was salvaged in June 2014.

The ministry had set up two inquiry boards, which have indicated violation of the critical Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) as the reason for the explosion.

"We have already finalised that Sindhurakshak should be disposed of."

Sindhurakshak is a ten kilo-class diesel-electric powered submarine that was commissioned by the Indian Navy in December 1997. It had undergone a $80m upgrade between June 2010 and May 2013.

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Western Naval Command Flag Officer commanding-in-chief vice-admiral SPS Cheema was quoted by the Indian Express as saying: "We have already finalised that Sindhurakshak should be disposed of.

"The report has been sent to the headquarters and its being studied."

A final decision on the decommissioning rests with the Ministry of Defence.

Another submarine, INS Viraat is also scheduled to be decommissioned in 2016.

"Like human beings, ships also age. Indian Navy has a unique capability to run ships beyond their lifetime.

"After certain time, the economics, the operational viability is looked upon," Cheema added.

Image: INS Sindhurakshak is a 10 Kilo Class submarine. Photo: Public Domain.