SINDHUGOSH {KILO} CLASS
Vessel Type: Submarine, Type 877EKM.
Names &
Pennant Numbers with commission dates:
INS Sindhugosh S55 (30
April 1986) - Refit Complete
INS Sindhudhvaj S56 (12
June 1987)
INS Sindhuraj S57 (20
October 1987) - Refit Complete
INS Sindhuvir S58 (26
August 1988) - Refit Complete
INS Sindhuratna S59
(22 December 1988) - Refit Complete
INS Sindhukesari S60
(16 February 1989) - Refit Complete
INS Sindhukirti S61 (04 January 1990)
- Undergoing Refit
INS Sindhuvijay
S62 (08 March 1991) - Refit Complete
INS Sindhurakshak S63 (24 December 1997)
INS Sindhushastra
S65 (19 July 2000)
Structure: The Kilo Class submarine has a single shaft with a double hull. Six compartments separated by bulkheads to enable it to remain afloat even when one is flooded. To reduce the submarine's acoustic signature, the flooding ports have been removed from the fore-body. Anechoic tiles are fitted on casings and fins. The submarine also has a new gas-freeing system to reduce risk of detection. The hull of the submarine is covered with rubber anti-sonar protection tiles which have a special ozonising layer to combat the sun's effects in tropical waters. The bow planes are positioned close to the mid-ship to improve sonar performance. An engine change is probable during major refits in Russia which started in 1997, with INS Sindhuvir. A German-designed, Indian-built main battery, with a five year life has replaced the Russian batteries in all the vessels. Battery cooling has been improved as a result of the change.
Displacement:
Surfaced; 2325 tons.
....................Dived;
3076 tons.
Dimensions:
Length; 72.6 meters.
.................Beam; 9.9 meters.
.................Draught; 6.6 meters.
Diving Depth:
Operational Depth; 240 meters.
...................Maximum Depth; 300
meters.
Main Machinery: Two diesel-electric motors at 3650 hp, one 5900 hp motor, two auxiliary motors at 204 hp and one economic speed motor at 130 hp.
Maximum Speed:
Surfaced;
10 knots.
.......................Snorkel
Mode;
9 knots.
.......................Submerged;
17 knots.
Maximum Range:
6000 miles at 7 knots in snorkel mode.
.......................400
miles at 3 knots submerged.
Complement: 52 (incl. 13 Officers).
Endurance at Sea: 45 days.
Radar:
Navigation; One MRP-25 (NATO: Snoop Tray) radar at I-band
frequency. Has a target
separation system.
.........Communication; Being fitted with the CCS-MK radio
communications system during mid-life refits.
Sonar:
One
MG-519 (NATO: Mouse Roar) hull mounted sonar, active search with high
frequency.
.........One MGK-400 Rubikon (NATO: Shark Teeth/Shark Fin) hull mounted
sonar,
active/passive search & attack with medium frequency. A new sonar system (probably
the MGK-400EM) have been installed during their mid-life refits.
Maintaining the dimensions of the MGK-400 sonar basic antennas, the MGK-400EM sonar optimally meets the requirements for diesel-electric submarines. The antenna comprises advanced receiving elements and the system's hardware consists of modern, high-speed data processing computers and multifunctional displays. The system's tactical and technical characteristics, specifically the sonar operation range and target positioning accuracy, have been significantly improved. The system has new service functions, such as measurement & control of noise and jamming conditions and prediction of the sonar operation range in the main modes. Automatic test and fault diagnosis capability significantly enhances the quality, reliability and ease of operation of the system. To reduce submarine sonar crew, the MGK-400EM sonar incorporates the MG-519EM mine-hunting system with presentation of its data on the MGK-400EM's common information display. The system is being further upgraded by introducing a channel of low-frequency echo-ranging which uses a flexible trailing antenna or extensive onboard antennas.
Modern circuitry elements make it possible to employ effective data processing algorithms and significantly expand the range of its functions (in addition to those fulfilled by the MGK-400 system), including: target classification; LOFAR (Low Frequency Analysis and Ranging) and DEMON (Demodulated Noise/Detection of Envelope Modulation On Noise) procedures; automatic tracking of up to 12 targets; active search with complex sounding signals; new types of communications and IFF signals; detecting active signals of torpedo homing heads in an extended frequency range of the hydro-acoustic signal detection mode; measuring detected active signal parameters, etc.
INS Sindhugosh and INS Sindhuvijay have been fitted with an indigenous Panchendriya package, which includes an Indian sonar (USHUS) developed by the Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of the Indian Navy and by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). A fire control system (FCS) has also been developed by the Weapons Engineering & Electronics System Engineering (WEESE) unit of the Indian Navy and by BEL. The remaining boats due for their mid-life refits, are to be fitted with this new indigenous Panchendriya package. The USHUS sonar reportedly offers superior performance over similar Russian models such as the MG-519 and the MGK-400 (and possibly the MGK-400EM) hull mounted sonar.
Weapons Control: Uzel MVU-119EM Torpedo Fire Control System (TFCS).
Weapons: These boats are fitted with six 533mm torpedo tubes, which can carry 18 heavyweight torpedoes (six in the tubes and 12 on the racks). It uses an automatic rapid loader which is remotely controlled from the main control panel or by the controls in the launch station. Two of the tubes can fire wire-guided torpedoes, while the other four have automatic reloading. Torpedo types include the Type 53-65 passive wake homing torpedo, at a range of 10.3n miles; 19 km at 45 knots with a 305 kg warhead and the TEST 71/76 anti-submarine, active & passive homing torpedo at a range of 8.1n miles; 15 km at 40 knots or 10.8n miles; 20 km at 25 knots with a 200 kg warhead. Can carry 24 DM-1 mines in lieu of torpedoes. From INS Sindhuvir onwards, a shoulder-held 9M36 Strela-3 (SA-N-8) SAM launcher is placed in the fin and is used when the submarine is surfaced. The missile has a range of 3.2n miles; 6 km with a 2 kg HE-FRAG warhead and uses infra-red homing for guidance.
Jane's Defence Upgrades reported in November 2000 that eight upgraded torpedoes, designated as the TEST-71ME-NK, were sold to the Indian Navy. This electric, remotely-controlled homing torpedo can be used against either submarines or surface ships (previous models were for submarine engagements only) and has a maximum speed of 40 knots with a claimed range of 20 km. Weighing 1820 kg, the torpedo has a 205 kg explosive warhead and is powered by a silver-zinc single-use ampoule battery. Target detection ranges are 1500 meters for submarines and 180 meters for surface vessels. Equipped with acoustic and electromagnetic influence exploders, this new torpedo's operational characteristics allow reduced preparation time both at base and on-board the submarine. A practice version is available to allow training firing. Another version, TEST-71MKE, is for use against submarines only and is fitted with active sonar homing and tele-control systems.
INS Sindhushastra is armed with the Klub-S ASCM. This gives the Indian Navy, it's first under-water launched missile capability. The other submarines in the class will also be fitted with the capability during their mid-life refits. A maximum of six missiles can be carried, leaving room for a mix of twelve torpedoes. On 06 July 2006, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the purchase of 28 Klub-S (3M-14E variant) land-attack cruise missiles at a cost of US $184 million. Arming the boats, with this particular variant of the Klub missile, is significant as it gives the Indian Navy the ability to attack targets on land. Defence Correspondent Sandeep Unnithan states, "These new missiles are crucial to influencing the outcome of a land battle by attacking targets like enemy airbases and infrastructure facilities."
The Press Trust of India reported on 11 January 2008, that the Indian Navy refused to take delivery of INS Sindhuvijay, which completed a mid-life refit at Zvyozdochka SY in Severodvinsk, Russia. The 3M-14E land-attack cruise missile, a member of Klub family, had not been performing as per design parameters. The missiles failed to find their targets after six consecutive, pre-delivery test firings, that were conducted between September and November 2007 in the Barents Sea test range. It was reported that in a couple of the test firings, the missiles went off course by several kilometers from their intended target. The 50-man crew, sent to Russia to sail back with the submarine, subsequently returned to India. The Indian Navy took a stern line by demanding that Zvyozdochka SY rectify the problem, before it took delivery of the boat. The submarine thus remained at the shipyard awaiting further missile firing tests at a White Sea testing site in July 2008. Ria Novosti reported that she successfully completed her second round of missile trails and she began her return journey to India on 06 August 2008.
The technical problems with the 3M-14E land-attack cruise missile, has also plagued the other variants of the Klub missile family which the Indian Navy uses aboard these submarines. Defence Correspondent Sandeep Unnithan in an India Today article, dated 10 January 2008, stated, "While it is not clear where the problem with this variant of the missile is, the navy believes it lies in the submarine's gyro, which feeds in the crucial parameters into the missile before it is launched. The gyro is also believed to be at the heart of the problems in the anti-ship variants of the Klub. The navy is planning to install French-built inertial navigation systems in Kilo class submarines to replace the Russian-built systems." It is likely that the submarine's gyro could be main culprit for the misfires of the 3M-14E land-attack cruise missile as well. In the same article, it was reported that the missile trials of the 3M-14E cruise missile - aboard INS Sindhughosh - had a success rate of 50% with two out of the four missiles test fired, having hit their intended targets. Surprisingly, the 50% hit rate was regarded as acceptable by the Indian Navy.
Countermeasures: In the ESM (Electronic Support Measures) role, a MRM-25EM (NATO: Squid Head) system is used. A media report, dated 05 May 2007, stated that PORPOISE Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems were fitted aboard two of the boats and an additional eleven systems are on order. The system is an indigenous development by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL).
Comments:
An agreement with Russia was concluded in the mid-1980s for the transfer
of eight Type 877EKM Kilo Class submarines. These boats have been
nicknamed 'Black Hole' by NATO for their silent operation in the sea. The first submarine in the class -
INS Sindhugosh - was commissioned in April 1986 in Riga,
Russia and seven more boats entered service with the Indian Navy in another five years. In January 1997, two Kilo Class
boats were ordered by the Indian Navy and the first boat - INS Sindhurakshak
- was commissioned in St. Petersburg, Russia. This
submarine was a spare Type 877EKM hull built for the Russian Navy, but
was never purchased. The second boat -
INS Sindhushastra - also
commissioned at St. Petersburg, is rumoured to be a Type
636 Kilo Class submarine. Preserving all the
advantages of Type 877EKM, the Type 636 is distinguished by the
following;
•
Diesel-generator output
•
Increased submerged speed
•
Reduced submerged noise level
•
Increased cruising range while snorkelling
The combat efficiency of the Type 636 submarine has been considerably increased with the addition of the Klub ASCM. The reduction of the boat's submerged noise level, when compared to the Type 877EKM, ensures early detection of enemy ships and submarines from a greater distance. More efficient ventilation and air conditioning systems have also been designed for the boat's operation in different regions of the world's oceans, which provides comfortable living conditions for the crew. The Type 636 boat has a displacement of 2350 tons, a length of 73 meters with a breadth of 9.9 meters, a submerged speed of 20 knots, a 7500 mile cruising range with overload fuel capacity while snorkeling at an economic speed of seven knots, a 400 mile submerged range at an unspecified economic speed, a maximum diving depth of 300 meters (approximately 984 feet), a maximum endurance of 45 days, a crew of 52 personnel and a combination of missiles, torpedoes and mines as per mission requirements.
Six of the boats have completed a mid-life refit, costing $80 million each, involving a complete overhaul of the submarine including its hull structure. An upgrade package is also part of this extensive refit, which has been designed by Zvyozdochka's Onega Research & Development Technological Bureau. The refit sees the submarines being armed with the Klub-S ASCM and the associated Lama-ER control system, new sonars (probably the MGK-400EM), electronic warfare systems, new control systems from Avrora such as the Palladij-M machinery control system and the AICS (Automated Information & Control system) integrated weapon control system. The boats are likely being updated to a Type 636 standard. The 2006-2007 CAG (Comptroller & Auditor General) report criticized the refit of these submarines by stating, "Piecemeal modernisation and upgradation of submarines at an aggregate cost of Rs 1,560 crore undertaken by the navy without taking approval of the competent financial authority."
INS Sindhuvir was the first submarine to complete her mid-life refit at the Admiralty Shipyard, St. Petersburg in April 1999. INS Sindhuraj also completed her refit at the Admiralty Shipyard. INS Sindhukesari, INS Sindhuratna, INS Sindhugosh and INS Sindhuvijay completed their mid-life refits at the Zvyozdochka (Little Star) Shipyard in Severodvinsk. At the February 2002 India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation, then incumbent Defence Minister George Fernandes stated, "It has also been agreed to accord priority to the setting up of facilities required for the medium refit and upgradation of 877EKM submarines in India." Thus future refits of the remaining boats will occur in India itself, rather than being sent to Russia. INS Sindhukirti and INS Sindhudhvaj are the last pair (from the original eight boats) to undergo mid-life refits. Media reports indicating that INS Sindhukirti being in a mid-life refit since 2003 are grossly exaggerated. Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Vizag signed a contract with the Indian Navy on 03 October 2006 for a mid-life refit for INS Sindhukirti. This refit however will take longer that the refits in Russia, as this is the first boat to undergo a refit of this nature in India. Timelines are speculative, but 4 to 5 years seems plausible compared to the 2 to 2½ years in Russia.
INS Sindhughosh collided with a foreign merchant vessel - MV Leeds Castle - while trying to surface in the seas north of Mumbai on 07 January 2008. The submarine was taking part in Western Fleet war games, when the accident occurred off India's Diu island, 400 nautical miles from Mumbai. The boat brushed aside the cargo ship as it was trying to surface in shallow waters. All 53 crew members on board escaped unhurt, but the submarine suffered damage and remained out of service for a month. The boat was maintaining total radio & radar silence and had it's USHUS sonar switched off to escape detection, when the accident took place. The submarine was towed to a naval dockyard at Mumbai and a Board of Inquiry was ordered to probe the mishap. In July 2008, it was reported that Commander Narendra Kumar - the commanding officer of INS Sindhughosh - resigned from the Indian Navy after the Board of Inquiry held him responsible for the incident. The Board of Inquiry came to the conclusion that as the commanding officer of the submarine, Commander Kumar could not escape responsibility for the accident that caused damage to the boat's fins, periscope and aerials. While the boat performed a periscope scan before proceeding to surface, Commander Kumar failed to detect the merchant ship. Commander Kumar, who was posted to administrative duties at Naval HQ in New Delhi after the incident, decided to resign rather than face a court martial where he was set to be dismissed from the service. Reportedly, the second in command of the boat also resigned taking responsibility for the failure.
Frontier India commented on the accident by stating, "INS Sindhughosh is reported have to collided with a merchant ship damaging some part of the conning tower. She was taking part in fleet level war games and was at periscope level. While the speculation is that the indigenously developed sonar USHUS malfunctioned, it could be yet another attack on indigenous equipment as per the current trend. At periscope level, a sonar is definitely switched on to detect range and bearing of other objects around. So when the sonar operator yells out a particular bearing of an object, the periscope operator confirms back the deviation or accuracy. Normally sonar accuracy always differs from the actual location of the object by some degrees and distance. It is a perfectly normal situation. Baring periscope, the sensors of the submarine should be safe as they are located on fins and on the bottom of the submarine hull. The crew of INS Sindhughosh had a miraculous escape as the accident was caused at surface level. The reports of structural damage is a cause of concern. Normally the submarine has two hulls. But any damage to structure means checking the entire review of the whole structure. Even if one steel bar has a weakness, the submarine will face adverse conditions at 250 meters below sea level."
