Kilo class submarine INS Sindhudhvaj decommissioned

Source: The post is based on the article “Kilo class submarine INS Sindhudhvaj decommissioned” published in The Hindu on 18th July 2022.

What is the News?

Indian Navy has decommissioned INS Sindhudhvaj from service. 

What is INS Sindhudhvaj?

INS Sindhudhvaj was commissioned into the Indian Navy in June 1987.

It was one of the 10 Kilo-class submarines India acquired from Russia between 1986 and 2000. 

Note: Of these 10 kilo class submarines, INS Sindhurakshak was lost in an accident in Mumbai harbour in 2013 while Sindhuvir was transferred to Myanmar in 2020.

Achievements: INS Sindhudhvaj had many firsts to her credit including operationalisation of the indigenised sonar USHUS, indigenised satellite communication systems Rukmani and MSS and indigenised torpedo fire control system.

– It had also successfully undertaken mating and personnel transfer with Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel.

– It was also the only submarine to be awarded the Chief of Naval Staff(CNS) rolling trophy for Innovation by the Prime Minister.

How many submarines does India have currently?

India is currently left with 15 conventional diesel-electric submarines.

This includes seven Russian Kilo-class submarines, four German HDW submarines, four French Scorpene submarines and the indigenous nuclear ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant. 

The last two of the Scorpene class submarines are in various stages of trials and outfitting.