INS Sindhughosh Set to Retire After Decades of Distinguished Service
The Indian Navy is preparing to retire INS Sindhughosh, a submarine that has served the country for nearly 40 years. This submarine was the first of ten Kilo-class submarines bought from the Soviet Union (now Russia). It joined the Navy on April 30, 1986, and became the lead submarine in India’s Sindhughosh class, based on Russia’s Project 877EKM design.
The retirement of INS Sindhughosh is part of the Navy’s ongoing plan to replace old submarines with new, advanced, and home-built ones. This will be the third Kilo-class submarine to be retired by India. Before this, INS Sindhurakshak was decommissioned in 2017 after a deadly accident in 2013, and INS Sindhudhvaj retired in July 2022 after completing its full service.
During its long career, INS Sindhughosh played an important role in protecting India’s sea borders. It went on many patrol missions and participated in major naval exercises. The Kilo-class submarines have been a key part of India’s underwater strength for decades. They are known for their stealth, ability to stay underwater for long periods, and strong weapon systems. These submarines carry torpedoes, sea mines, and missiles, giving India strong strike power from beneath the sea.
INS Sindhughosh also stood as a symbol of strong defence ties between India and the Soviet Union (and later Russia), as all ten Kilo-class submarines were delivered between 1986 and 2000. Over time, Sindhughosh received many upgrades, such as better sonar and Klub-S cruise missiles. However, due to its age, high maintenance costs, and fast-changing naval technology, it is no longer fit for modern warfare.
These submarines were designed to last around 30 to 35 years, and most of them are now at or past that age. So, India is focusing on building new submarines under Project 751. This project plans to add six modern submarines with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, which allow them to stay underwater longer without surfacing.
Along with this, India is also working on nuclear-powered submarines, including the INS Arihant-class and future attack submarines under Project 75 Alpha. These powerful submarines will help India strengthen its position in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with China expanding its naval presence.
As INS Sindhughosh retires, it leaves behind a proud legacy. It reflects how far India’s Navy has come, from using imported submarines to building its own powerful underwater fleet for the future.
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