INS Sindhughosh Bids Farewell After Four Decades of Service, Ushering in the Close of a Historic Era in India’s Submarine Force
The Indian Navy formally decommissioned INS Sindhughosh, the pioneering vessel of the Sindhughosh-class submarines, at sunset on December 19, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard. With this ceremonial paying off, the Navy marked the conclusion of the submarine’s remarkable 40-year journey in service of the nation.
The decommissioning ceremony was conducted in the presence of Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. INS Sindhughosh was officially paid off under the command of Lieutenant Commander Rajat Sharma, bringing her operational chapter to a respectful close.
Adding deep historical weight to the occasion, Captain KR Ajrekar (Retd)—the submarine’s second Commanding Officer—attended as the Guest of Honour. The ceremony also saw the presence of Admiral VS Shekhawat (Retd), former Chief of the Naval Staff, alongside Flag Officers, former Commanding Officers, members of the original commissioning crew, veterans, senior naval officers, and distinguished guests.
Since her commissioning in 1985, INS Sindhughosh has remained a silent sentinel beneath the seas, playing a critical role in enhancing India’s underwater combat strength, maritime security, and strategic deterrence. Over four decades, she stood as a cornerstone of the Navy’s submarine operations and preparedness.
Her decommissioning signals the end of a proud and storied chapter in India’s naval history—while simultaneously reflecting the Indian Navy’s steady transition toward modern, advanced, and indigenous underwater platforms built for the future.
Read more:
ICG Commissions GSL’s new-generation Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Amulya’
Indian Navy Commissions First Indigenous Diving Support Craft DSC A20 at Kochi
