The Indian Navy recently bid farewell to the Kilo class Submarine, INS Sindhudhvaj, after its dutiful service for 35 long years at Vishakapatnam. The decommissioning curtails the Navy’s fleet to a mere 15 conventional submarines.
Snapshot: INS Sindhudhvaj
The INS Sindhudhvaj was brought into the Indian Navy in June 1987, as a part of the 10 Kilo-class submarines that India procured from Russia between 1986 to 2000. Its long-standing service was marked with several milestones including the operationalization of indigenous sonar USHUS, Satellite Communication systems Rukmani and MSS, Inertial Navigation System, and a native Torpedo Fire Control System.
One significant achievement of the INS Sindhudhvaj was the successful mating and personnel transfer performed with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel. Additionally, it was the only submarine bestowed with the CNS Rolling trophy for innovation by none other than the Prime Minister himself.
The Current Scenario
Post the decommissioning of the INS Sindhudhvaj, the Navy’s sub-surface fleet now encompasses seven Russian Kilo-class submarines, four German HDW submarines, four French Scorpene submarines, and the indigenous nuclear ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arihant.
The last two Scorpene class submarines are currently undergoing various trials and outfitting stages. In line with the Navy’s continual efforts to bolster its fleet, work is underway on the construction of six advanced submarines under Project-75I. However, the project, which involves creating submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system costing an estimated RS. 43,000 crores, is experiencing delays.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
In the UPSC Civil Services exam of 2017, a question concerning the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was included. The question read as follows:
Q. “Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): (2017)
Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2”
The correct answer was option (b). The IONS is indeed a voluntary initiative focused on enhancing maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. However, the inaugural symposium was held in New Delhi, India in February 2008, not 2015, with the Chairman of IONS being the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy for the period from 2008-10.