Latest refitted submarine to sail for India

According to reports from Russia the much delayed delivery of the Indian Navy's updated diesel-electric submarine INS Sindhuvijay is set to commence on 5 August when the boat sets sail for India from the yard in Zvyozdochka.

The Sindhugosh class (Kilo class) submarine has been in Russia since 2005 to undergo a refit. It is the fourth IN Sindhugosh class submarine to undergo a refit in this way. However, delays with the refit, some centred on the furnishing and integration of Indian equipment, have led to slippages in the project.

The other main issue, causing a six month delay, was the unacceptable performance of the submarine's new SS-N-27 Club-S cruise missile. Test firings late last year failed to find the targets and led to the IN asking for further work on the system.

A new set of trials were undertaken in July this year and are reported to have been successful allowing the boat to finally leave its berth in Russia and make the transit to India.

The IN currently has 10 Sindhugosh class vessels in its inventory the majority of which are scheduled for a mid-life update. The country is also in the process of procuring two Akula II class boats from Russia.

The SS-N-27 Club-S missiles being retrofitted to the Sindhugosh class gives the boats a potent new anti-ship missile capability.