The loss of the INS Sindhurakshak, considered India's most advanced diesel-electric submarine, will hit the Indian Navy hard. The submarine has been gutted in an explosion and fire last night at Mumbai dock yard and 18 naval sailors are feared killed even as it has sunk into the sea.
The submarine was reportedly fully loaded when the explosion took place shortly after midnight while missiles and torpedoes were detonated in the fire. Rescue and salvage operations are now on. The destruction of the submarine is expected to affect the Navy’s operational preparedness.
It had just spent Rs. 480 crore to upgrade the 16-year-old submarine with an improved weapons system and expected the boat to serve another 10 years. The 2,300-tonne submarine was upgraded with an improved electronic warfare systems, control system and integrated weapon control system.