MoD report- In view of cost benefit analysis and inherent time involved in procurement, it was felt that MRLC of six already modernised submarines (four EKM class and two SSK class) is a viable alternative. The refit period for each submarine is two to three years and all submarines proposed for MRLC would have requisite combat capability. Further, the maintenance periods during the extended life are similar to those on an existing submarine and therefore there would be no decrease in the period of operational availability of the submarines undergoing MRLC. The Contract for the MRLC of the first EKM submarine has been concluded at a cost of Rs. 1191 Crore (approx). The submarine refit had commenced in mid-2016 and would be completed by end 2018. The 2nd submarine refit would be completed by 2019. Therefore, submarines would be available in order to arrest acute decline in the fleet strength. The life of the six submarines post MRLC will be additional 10 years, which will be certified by the OEM, on completion of the Refit, thereby meeting the immediate operational necessity of the Navy.
INS Sindhukesari rolled out after a second refit at Severodvinsk, Russia
India's Underwater Killer
INS Sindhukesari is the first Kilo-class submarine of the Indian Navy which is undergoing the second refit and modernisation with the life extension. The second refit adds ten years to 25-year specified service life of the submarine.
Men of Valor
A large amount of India-made equipment and systems are installed on this submarine. The duration of the refit cycle is 27 months.
Final Touches
INS Sindhukesari will be the first Indian Kilo-class submarine whose service life will be not less than 35 years. Operating and combat characteristics of the ship will be improved as well.
Calm Before The Storm
India officially expressed its intention to sign a contract for MRLC (Medium Refit with Life Certification) program in September 2013. The Indian Ministry of Defence made the request for repair determination of INS Sindhukesari in June 2014.
Extending The Lifeline
INS Sindhukesari was transported from India to Russia onboard a heavy load carrier vessel. The route lasted around the southern top end of Africa, through Atlantic ocean, Northern, Barents and White seas. On June 15, 2016, the vessel entered Severodvinsk’s port.
Heart of the Matter
INS Sindhukesari underwent medium repair at the Admiralty shipyards in 1999-2001 including Club-S complex installation.
Gestation Period
The second submarine, INS Sindhuraj, came to Severodvinsk on September 14, 2017. The negotiations on the second refit of two more Kilo-class submarines of the Indian Navy at the Indian shipyards are now in progress.
Make in India to go to Russia? Government to take call on Rs 2,400-crore submarine plan
The defence ministry is shortly expected to take a call on whether a Rs 2,400-crore project to extend the service life of its primary conventional submarines would be done under the Make-in-India initiative or would go to a Russian shipyard where the boats were originally manufactured.
The complicated process – which will extend the life of the Kilo class submarines by 10 years – can bring a significant amount of technology and skill to India but the Navy has been concerned that it could lead to delays. Something that it is vary of, given the declining strength of its underwater fleet.
At stake is the medium refit and life extension of two Kilo class submarines, starting with the INS Sindhuratna that is already dry docked and ready to be shipped. As per original plans that were cleared in 2016, a total of four Kilo class submarines were to be given the life extension.
While two of these were to be sent to Russia, the remaining two were to be upgraded at an Indian yard, according to a decision taken by the Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC). It is this contract for two submarines, valued at over `2,400 cr, which has become a bone of contention. Two Indian yards were in the fray for the project – L&T and the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)). While the private yard did not submit bids, HSL has emerged as the sole contender and is confident it can undertake the project.
“We have the capability of undertaking this project in India. We have been carrying out regular refits for Kilo class submarine at the yard and this would require much more work but we are confident that it can be done on time,” Rear Admiral LV Sarat Babu, CMD, HSL told ET.
At the back of the Navy’s mind is history with HSL – the yard took nine years to refit one its submarines, the INS Sindhukirti, as it went through financial difficulties in the past. HSL, however, believes that these problems have now been resolved with the yard having undergone a turnaround.
One hurdle that will be faced with upgrading the submarines in India is whether the Russian manufacturer would give the crucial life extension certification. This can only be done by the original manufacturer of the submarine.
INS Sindhukesari rolled out after a second refit at Severodvinsk, Russia
India's Underwater Killer
INS Sindhukesari is the first Kilo-class submarine of the Indian Navy which is undergoing the second refit and modernisation with the life extension. The second refit adds ten years to 25-year specified service life of the submarine.
Men of Valor
A large amount of India-made equipment and systems are installed on this submarine. The duration of the refit cycle is 27 months.
Final Touches
INS Sindhukesari will be the first Indian Kilo-class submarine whose service life will be not less than 35 years. Operating and combat characteristics of the ship will be improved as well.
Calm Before The Storm
India officially expressed its intention to sign a contract for MRLC (Medium Refit with Life Certification) program in September 2013. The Indian Ministry of Defence made the request for repair determination of INS Sindhukesari in June 2014.
Extending The Lifeline
INS Sindhukesari was transported from India to Russia onboard a heavy load carrier vessel. The route lasted around the southern top end of Africa, through Atlantic ocean, Northern, Barents and White seas. On June 15, 2016, the vessel entered Severodvinsk’s port.
Heart of the Matter
INS Sindhukesari underwent medium repair at the Admiralty shipyards in 1999-2001 including Club-S complex installation.
Gestation Period
The second submarine, INS Sindhuraj, came to Severodvinsk on September 14, 2017. The negotiations on the second refit of two more Kilo-class submarines of the Indian Navy at the Indian shipyards are now in progress.
Make in India to go to Russia? Government to take call on Rs 2,400-crore submarine plan
The defence ministry is shortly expected to take a call on whether a Rs 2,400-crore project to extend the service life of its primary conventional submarines would be done under the Make-in-India initiative or would go to a Russian shipyard where the boats were originally manufactured.
The complicated process – which will extend the life of the Kilo class submarines by 10 years – can bring a significant amount of technology and skill to India but the Navy has been concerned that it could lead to delays. Something that it is vary of, given the declining strength of its underwater fleet.
At stake is the medium refit and life extension of two Kilo class submarines, starting with the INS Sindhuratna that is already dry docked and ready to be shipped. As per original plans that were cleared in 2016, a total of four Kilo class submarines were to be given the life extension.
While two of these were to be sent to Russia, the remaining two were to be upgraded at an Indian yard, according to a decision taken by the Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC). It is this contract for two submarines, valued at over `2,400 cr, which has become a bone of contention. Two Indian yards were in the fray for the project – L&T and the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)). While the private yard did not submit bids, HSL has emerged as the sole contender and is confident it can undertake the project.
“We have the capability of undertaking this project in India. We have been carrying out regular refits for Kilo class submarine at the yard and this would require much more work but we are confident that it can be done on time,” Rear Admiral LV Sarat Babu, CMD, HSL told ET.
At the back of the Navy’s mind is history with HSL – the yard took nine years to refit one its submarines, the INS Sindhukirti, as it went through financial difficulties in the past. HSL, however, believes that these problems have now been resolved with the yard having undergone a turnaround.
One hurdle that will be faced with upgrading the submarines in India is whether the Russian manufacturer would give the crucial life extension certification. This can only be done by the original manufacturer of the submarine.
