Delegation from Indian defense ministry visited Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center with inspection on Sept 15. The inspection's purpose is beginning of works on Project 877EKM diesel electric submarine INS Sindhurakshak. The sub has been already placed in the dock; unloading of equipment and fitting out of ventilation are also started.
INS Sindhurakshak (S63) is a Sindhughosh-class diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy. On February 26, 2010, a sailor aboard the submarine was killed in a fire that broke out in the battery compartment of the submarine while it was docked at Visakhapatnam naval base, though the platform suffered no serious damage.
The delegation is headed by Vice Admiral Nadel Nirajan Kumar, head of department for warships' production and procurement. Delegates viewed the sub, accepted reports from commanding officer, head of the observers' group, and chief of department conducting repairs. The Indian party noted the high level of works arranged by Zvezdochka on subs of that project. The Indian admiral was satisfied with the works' progress.
Perspectives of further repairs of the rest 4 Varshavyanka class subs were discussed specifically. The experience related to INS Sindhukirti shows that there are serious problems with India's attempts to repair those subs independently. Zvezdochka is capable to provide such overhaul within the shortest possible period of time. An unofficial opinion says that it would be more reasonable to repair all four submarines in Zvezdochka.
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