SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is set to decommission INS Sindhughosh, the first of ten Kilo-class submarines acquired from the erstwhile Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation, nearly four decades after its commissioning in 1986. This move marks a significant milestone in the Navy’s ongoing modernization efforts, as it phases out aging platforms to make way for advanced, indigenously developed submarines. INS Sindhughosh will be the third Kilo-class submarine to be retired, following INS Sindhurakshak in 2017 after a tragic accident and INS Sindhudhvaj in 2022 at the end of its service life.
Commissioned on April 30, 1986, INS Sindhughosh was the lead vessel of the Sindhughosh-class submarines, a variant of the Russian Project 877EKM Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines. These submarines have been a cornerstone of India’s underwater warfare capabilities, known for their stealth, endurance, and ability to operate in diverse maritime environments. Over its nearly 40-year service, INS Sindhughosh played a pivotal role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests, conducting patrols, and participating in key naval exercises.
The Kilo-class submarines, equipped with torpedoes, mines, and anti-ship missiles, provided the Indian Navy with a formidable underwater strike capability during the Cold War era and beyond. INS Sindhughosh, in particular, was a symbol of India’s strategic partnership with the Soviet Union and later Russia, which supplied all ten Kilo-class submarines between 1986 and 2000. The submarine underwent several refits to extend its operational life, incorporating modernized systems to enhance its combat effectiveness.
The decision to decommission INS Sindhughosh comes as part of the Navy’s planned phase-out of older Kilo-class submarines, which are approaching or have exceeded their designed service life of approximately 30-35 years. The Indian Navy originally acquired ten Kilo-class submarines, but the fleet has already been reduced by two. INS Sindhurakshak was decommissioned in 2017 following a catastrophic explosion onboard in 2013 at Mumbai’s naval dockyard, which killed 18 crew members and rendered the submarine irreparable. INS Sindhudhvaj, another Kilo-class vessel, was retired in July 2022 after completing its operational life.
The remaining Kilo-class submarines, including INS Sindhughosh, have faced challenges related to aging technology, maintenance costs, and the need for frequent refits. Despite upgrades, such as the integration of advanced sonar systems and Klub-S cruise missiles, the operational demands of modern naval warfare require more advanced platforms with improved stealth, endurance, and weaponry.
Additionally, Project 75I aims to acquire six next-generation submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, which significantly enhance underwater endurance. The Navy is also investing in nuclear-powered submarines, such as the indigenously developed INS Arihant-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and the planned nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) under Project 75 Alpha. These platforms are expected to provide India with a strategic edge in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in countering growing Chinese naval presence.
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