Centre Signs Rs 934 Crore Deal With HSL To Refit INS Sindhukirti Submarine In Visakhapatnam

Over the years, INS Sindhukirti has participated in several naval exercises and operations, including Operation Parakram against Pakistan in 2001-02.

In another boost to achieve ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the Ministry of Defence on Monday signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited for normal refit of Sindhukirti submarine in Visakhapatnam. The project is going to cost nearly Rs 934 crore. After the refit, Sindhukirti will be combat-worthy and will be reinducted into the active submarine fleet of the Indian Navy.

Refitting a vessel generally refers to the process of making repairs, upgrades, or modifications to a ship or boat in order to improve its condition, performance, or functionality. This may include replacing or repairing parts of the vessel's structure or equipment, upgrading navigation or communication systems, improving safety features, or adding new amenities or capabilities. 

This refit has been offloaded to develop an alternate repair facility for submarines and is a step towards undertaking medium refit with life certification at HSL. The refit would involve more than 20 micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and would generate employment for 1,000 people per day for the project duration.

Sindhukirti is a diesel-electric submarine. The submarine was commissioned on June 7, 1990, and it has since been serving the country in various capacities.

Sindhukirti has a displacement of 1860 tonnes when submerged and is 67.5 metres in length. The submarine has a top speed of 20 knots (37kmph approx.) when submerged and can dive up to a depth of 300 metres. It is equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes and can carry up to 18 torpedoes or missiles.

The submarine is named after the legendary king, Vikramaditya, who ruled in the 4th century AD. The name Sindhukirti means "Fame of the Ocean" and is a fitting name for a submarine that operates in the seas around India.

Over the years, INS Sindhukirti has participated in several naval exercises and operations, including Operation Parakram against Pakistan in 2001-02. In 2008, the submarine was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel off the coast of Mumbai, resulting in damage to the submarine's periscope.

In 2013, Sindhukirti underwent a major upgrade at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam. The upgrade included the installation of a new combat system, modernization of the submarine's sensors and weapons, and the replacement of its engines.