Sindurakshak submarine delivered to Indian Navy by Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (Photo)
Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center, member of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (OSK OJSC), has delivered the upgraded diesel electric submarine Sindurakshak of Project 877EKM (Kilo class) to Indian Navy, OSK reports.
The contract for interim overhaul and modernization of submarine Sindurakshak was signed by Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center and Indian Ministry of Defense on June 4, 2010. The submarine arrived in Severodvinsk and was accepted for repairs in August of that year.
Under the contract the submarine was equipped with the Club-S missile system.
Over ten systems including India-designed hydroacoustic complex Ushus and radio communications system СCS-MK-2 were installed on the submarine. Besides, upgrade of cooling system, placing of Porpoise radar, and some other works improving the sub’s combat features and safe operation have been done.
In June 2012, upon completion of the repair stage, the submarine was launched and in November-December 2012 she had successfully gone through contractors' trials in the White Sea including torpedo and missile test.
The delivery ceremony was attended by Deputy Navy Attaché of the Indian Embassy in Russia Rupak Pandey, crew members, Zvezdochka heads and experts having participated in the modernization, representatives of contract partners.
The document was signed by Sindurakshak Commander Radjkumar Radjesh and Zvezdochka Director General Vladimir Nikitin.
According to Vladimir Nikitin, Director General of Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center, Indian Navy is a traditional and a very important partner of Zvezdochka. For a decade and a half we have repaired and upgraded five Indian submarines of Kilo class, fulfilled a considerable number of contracts on supply of spare parts and maintenance of ships in India. All the works are carried out within the contract terms and with a proper quality. Our specialists succeed in solving the tasks of mating foreign and Russian ship systems. Today we develop our cooperation focused in particular on establishment of an efficient system of after-sales service of Indian ships built in Russia at their basing site. In the market of Indian naval arms Zvezdochka has built up a reputation of a responsible and initiative partner and we hope that Indian Naval Command will carefully examine our proposals on second shipyard overhauls of Indian submarines, new equipment delivery, repair and modernization of other Indian ships.
On January 29, Sindurakshak will sail off towards its basing site. It will be the first experience of ice navigation for Indian submarines repaired and upgraded by Zvezdochka.