Upa Government Ignored Navy Warning On Ageing Submarine Fleet

[timmy]

India's submarine fleet could dwindle down to just five or six by 2015. It is a warning issued by the Navy to the government in a report which the latter has conveniently ignored for a long time. The report warned that India's current submarines are more than 20-years-old. The ill-fated INS Sindhuratna, in which two officers were killed in a mishap on Wednesday, was 26-years-old, a good recipe for a disaster.

People have blamed Defence Minister AK Antony's "extremely cautious nature" for the delays in decision-making. A Kilo-class submarine like the Sindhuratna requires batteries that have a lengthy acquisition process. And the project to get six new stealth submarines has been stuck in red tape for seven years.

As the body of Lieutenant Commander Kapish Muwal - who lost his life after inhaling toxic smoke on board the Sindhuratna - was laid to rest with full honours in Mumbai on Friday, his family blamed the system for his death.

"That submarine was defective. My brother knew it. Everyone on board the submarine knew it. Still it was sent for trial. And that one-day trial cost us heavily," Ashish Muwal, brother of Lt Commander Kapish, said.

His anger is justified.

Antony's refusal to take the responsibility has the Opposition as well as many in the forces questioning his moral standing.

"The Defence Minister and the Prime Minister have a lot to account for. If (Antony) has the slightest sense of belonging to the armed forces, then he must stand up and be counted," Antony's predecessor and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jaswant Singh said.

Antony's next big test is to appoint a new Naval chief. If he fumbles there, he could end up damaging his credibility further.

In line for the job are several top officers. According to seniority, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Commander-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Western Naval Command is the first in line. His retirement is due on August 31, 2014. But if ex-Chief Admiral DK Joshi had continued in office and completed his term 18 months later, Vice Admiral Satish Soni would have been appointed next as he retires on March 29, 2016.

Vice Admiral Robin Dhowan, currently the Vice Chief, is also likely to be considered. However, the stumbling block for him is that he has not been a Navy Commander - which is an unwritten requirement for any chief. He retires on May 31, 2014.

Also in line for the top job is Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Chief of Naval Communications (CNC) of the Eastern Naval Command, who retires on March 31, 2015.

The Indian Navy Submarines (INS) and their year of commissioning:

Chakra Class: The latest acquisition by the Navy

INS Chakra is a 8,140-tonne Akula class submarine, nuclear-powered attack submarine. The submarine was commissioned on 04 April, 2012.

 

Sindhughosh Class: Russian-built Kilo-class submarines. This is India's ageing fleet.

Sindhugosh 30 Apr 1986

Sindhudhvaj 12 Jun 1987

Sindhuraj 20 Oct 1987

Sindhuvir 26 Aug 1988

Sindhuratna 22 Dec 1988

Sindhukesari 16 Feb 1989

Sindhukirti 04 Jan 1990

Sindhuvijay 08 Mar 1991

Sindhurakshak 24 Dec 1997

Sindhurashtra 19 Jul 2000

 

Shishumar Class: German-built diesel-electric submarines, commissioned between 1986 and 1994. Again near obsolete.

Shishumar 22 Sep 1986

Shankush 20 Nov 1986

Shalki 07 Feb 1992

Shankul 28 May 1994

[Nellore Pedda reddy]

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