sudhir007
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The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Nation
New Delhi, March 5
Indian Navy’s submarine fleet is now emerging as the weak link is its armoury and its aspirations to match the growing status of the country. Within the Navy, the shortage is well known and has been flagged at various levels. A depleting fleet means as on today India has only 13 battle-ready submarines in comparison China has 55 sub-surface or undersea vessels.
The accident on board the submarine INS Sindhurtana on February 26 ighlights the shortage and lack of urgency that plague the ‘silent arm’ of the Navy. Though the Navy in statement said the cause of fire on board the vessel was not due to the faulty or old batteries, the fact is that the Navy does not even have spare set of batteries for the submarines. The ones used to do sea trials of the Sindhuratna were on loan from another Kilo-class submarine the INS Sindhukesri that is undergoing a re-fit and its batteries, not a new set, was fitted onto the Sindhuratna when the accident occurred.
At least 240 batteries, each weighing a few hundred kilos, are distributed equally in forward and rear battery pits in the kilo class submarines. “The batteries presently installed on Sindhuratna have till date completed about 113 cycles as against 200 cycles available for use. Further, the life of the batteries was valid”, the Navy said.
Sources said the batteries were working fine, but the worrisome part was that the Navy did not have new batteries to fit onto the re-fitted Sindhuratna.
A battle ready Navy aspiring for a wider role would have a couple of spare sets in store. The batteries run the submarine when underwater and diesel generator charges them then the vessel surfaces partially. Batteries are produced by leading Indian company in the business of making batteries for automobiles.
The Navy has said based on preliminary inspection of third compartment, the likely seat of fire has been indicated as the mess deck, which is located one deck above the battery bit. Certain electrical cables were observed to be burnt and damaged in this area. The cause for initiation of fire at this location would be ascertained in due course by the high level board of inquiry.
A BoI headed by a Rear Admiral has commenced the investigation to ascertain the cause leading to the incident. New Delhi’s 30-year submarine construction plan is delayed and the fleet is ageing. India’s 30 year submarine construction plan launched in 1999 envisaged having some 30 submarines of various classes. Now 15 years latter not a single vessel has been produced.
The first of the six scorpene class submarines being built in collaboration with French Company DCNS will be ready only by 2016.
Out of stock
* The batteries used during sea trials of INS Sindhuratna were on loan from another Kilo-class submarine -INS Sindhukesri
* While the batteries are working fine, the Navy does not have new batteries to fit onto the re-fitted Sindhuratna
* At least 240 batteries are distributed equally in forward and rear battery pits in the kilo class submarines
New Delhi, March 5
Indian Navy’s submarine fleet is now emerging as the weak link is its armoury and its aspirations to match the growing status of the country. Within the Navy, the shortage is well known and has been flagged at various levels. A depleting fleet means as on today India has only 13 battle-ready submarines in comparison China has 55 sub-surface or undersea vessels.
The accident on board the submarine INS Sindhurtana on February 26 ighlights the shortage and lack of urgency that plague the ‘silent arm’ of the Navy. Though the Navy in statement said the cause of fire on board the vessel was not due to the faulty or old batteries, the fact is that the Navy does not even have spare set of batteries for the submarines. The ones used to do sea trials of the Sindhuratna were on loan from another Kilo-class submarine the INS Sindhukesri that is undergoing a re-fit and its batteries, not a new set, was fitted onto the Sindhuratna when the accident occurred.
At least 240 batteries, each weighing a few hundred kilos, are distributed equally in forward and rear battery pits in the kilo class submarines. “The batteries presently installed on Sindhuratna have till date completed about 113 cycles as against 200 cycles available for use. Further, the life of the batteries was valid”, the Navy said.
Sources said the batteries were working fine, but the worrisome part was that the Navy did not have new batteries to fit onto the re-fitted Sindhuratna.
A battle ready Navy aspiring for a wider role would have a couple of spare sets in store. The batteries run the submarine when underwater and diesel generator charges them then the vessel surfaces partially. Batteries are produced by leading Indian company in the business of making batteries for automobiles.
The Navy has said based on preliminary inspection of third compartment, the likely seat of fire has been indicated as the mess deck, which is located one deck above the battery bit. Certain electrical cables were observed to be burnt and damaged in this area. The cause for initiation of fire at this location would be ascertained in due course by the high level board of inquiry.
A BoI headed by a Rear Admiral has commenced the investigation to ascertain the cause leading to the incident. New Delhi’s 30-year submarine construction plan is delayed and the fleet is ageing. India’s 30 year submarine construction plan launched in 1999 envisaged having some 30 submarines of various classes. Now 15 years latter not a single vessel has been produced.
The first of the six scorpene class submarines being built in collaboration with French Company DCNS will be ready only by 2016.
Out of stock
* The batteries used during sea trials of INS Sindhuratna were on loan from another Kilo-class submarine -INS Sindhukesri
* While the batteries are working fine, the Navy does not have new batteries to fit onto the re-fitted Sindhuratna
* At least 240 batteries are distributed equally in forward and rear battery pits in the kilo class submarines
