The country and the navy have suffered a big blow. The Navy has lost its most modern operational submarine INS Sindhurakshak which had two explosions and sank along with 18 crew members off Colaba coast in Mumbai. The tragedy and loss have come at a time when the country is deeply concerned about her security on land and sea. The navy had been struggling hard to modernize its strike force and the subs that were aging. The Sindhurakhshak had been refitted in Russia at a cost of rupees. 815 crore and was completed within three years and re-inducted this April.
The cause of two explosions that occurred in the sub is not known. Was it owing to short circuit or some mechanical error will be established in due course of time? But there are also suspicions that it could be the result of sabotage. The nation is greatly worried about the happening. Terrorists have usually issued threats of attacking and destroying sensitive defence installations and sites of the country. In the light of 26/11, the present sabotage cannot be ruled out. The tragedy could have been deeper if the blasts had engulfed the adjoining Kilo class submarine docked nearby. Flames did spread to it but were doused quickly and no damage was done to that submarine. The probe will reveal what happened but the fact is that question of delay in upgrading and replacing ageing vessels has come to fore with full force. INS Arihant, anther submarine was in focus last week when its nuclear reactor turned critical. It is yet to be commissioned. Of the nine Kilo submarines two are being refitted at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited. One of the submarines sent for refining at HSL has been docked there since 2003.
While a fleet strength of 24 submarines was sanctioned, the navy has four older generation HDW 209 class and nine Kilo class submarines. Eleven of these are older than 20 years. A nuclear-powered submarine, INS Chakra, was leased from Russia in 2012. The difficulties of defence procurement are clearly showing. The orders for more German-made HDWs were cancelled after allegations of corruption in procurement. In 1999, the Cabinet Committee on Security had approved a plan to induct 24 submarines in a 30-year-period. Evidently, the procurement policy has failed. The frozen P-75I plan requires the CCS to sanction Rs 50,000 crore but with the economic downturn and the burgeoning fiscal deficit, defence spending could become a casualty. For India needing to dominate Indian Ocean from the Gulf of Aden to the Malacca Strait, the size of the rapidly expanding Chinese submarine fleet – nearly 50-strong now – poses serious challenge? Naval budgets have increased from $2.8 billion in 2011-12 to $6 billion in 2013-14. While the initial plan was to secure more frigates and destroyers, the Sindhurakshak tragedy makes a strong case for quickly clearing the P-75I purchase.
Whatever be the findings of the enquiry into Sindhurakhshak tragedy, one thing is very clear. There is serious and real threat to our sensitive defence installations. We should not forget that during the attack of terrorists on Gawadar port they had successfully targeted one Pakistani naval aircraft of much strategic relevance. The need of the hour is that the Defence Ministry issues instructions to the concerned that all sensitive military installations of army, navy and air force in the country be put under strictest security arrangement with immediate effect. No laxity has to be allowed in this. Destruction of a most modern submarine is not only painful but also demoralizing.
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