Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center, member of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (OSK OJSC), has delivered the upgraded diesel electric submarine Sindhurakshak of Project 877EKM (Kilo class) to Indian Navy. The delivery ceremony was symbolically held on January 26, the Republic Day of India.
The contract for interim overhaul and modernization of submarine Sindhurakshak was signed by Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center and Indian Ministry of Defense on June 4, 2010 and in August of the same year the vessel arrived in Severodvinsk, where it was received for repair works.
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 tests.
The delivery ceremony was attended by Deputy Navy Attaché of the Indian Embassy in Russia Rupak Pandey, crew members, managers and experts of Zvezdochka shipyard who were involved in the modernization of the submarine, in addition to representatives of contract partners The document was signed by Sindurakshak Commander Radjkumar Radjesh and Zvezdochka Director General Vladimir Nikitin.
Vladimir Nikitin, Director General of of Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center stated that Indian Navy is a strategic partner of the shipyard. For fifteen years we have repaired and upgraded five Indian submarines of “Kilo” class, executed a significant number of contracts for the supply of spare parts and servicing of vessels in India. All work is done based on contractual terms and with adequate quality. Our experts have successfully solved the problem of integration of foreign and Russian naval systems.
“Repair and modernization of the submarine Sindhurakshak has been carried out within the framework of the right to an independent foreign trade in military products. This right was granted to Zvezdochka in 2008 and since then it has been extended to a wide range of projects. 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”, he added.
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.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 01, 2013