Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil at 16:48, 5 May 2026

2026-05-05T16:48:57Z

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{{Short description|Indian submarine warship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2013}}{{italic title|string=Sindhukirti}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
|image=Ae dq ins S62 1.jpg
|image_caption=A ''Sindhughosh''-class submarine underway
}}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
|hide_header=
|country=India
|flag={{shipboxflag|India|naval}}
|name=INS ''Sindhukirti''
|namesake=
|ordered=
|builder=[[Admiralty Shipyard]] and [[Sevmash]]
|laid_down=
|launched=26 August 1989
|acquired=
|commissioned= 9 December 1989<ref>[http://indiannavy.nic.in/node/1145 Sindhukirti (S61), Indian Navy]</ref>
|refit= June 2006 – May 2015
|recommissioned= 23 May 2015
|decommissioned=
|in_service=
|out_of_service=
|struck=
|reinstated=
|badge=[[File:INS Sindhukirti (S61) crest.JPG|120px|INS Sindhukirti badge]]
|fate=
|status={{Ship in active service}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Submarine INS Sindhukirti sets sail for sea trials|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/submarine-ins-sindhukirti-sets-sail-for-sea-trials/article7233200.ece|access-date=24 May 2015|work=Business Standard|location=India|date=23 May 2015}}</ref>
}}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
|hide_header=
|header_caption=
|class= {{sclass|Sindhughosh|submarine}}
|type=
|displacement=*{{convert|2300|t|ST|abbr=on}} surfaced
*{{convert|3100|t|ST|abbr=on}} dived
|length= {{convert|72.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|beam= {{convert|9.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|draught= {{convert|6.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|draft=
|propulsion=*2 × {{convert|3650|hp|kW|abbr=on|adj=on}} diesel-electric motors
*1 × {{convert|5900|hp|kW|abbr=on|adj=on}} motor
*2 × {{convert|204|hp|kW|abbr=on|adj=on}} auxiliary motors
*1 × {{convert|130|hp|kW|abbr=on|adj=on}} economic speed motor
|speed=*Surfaced; {{convert|11|kn|km/h}}<ref name="Rosoboron exports – Project 636">{{cite web|title=Rosoboron exports – Project 636|url=https://roe.ru/eng/catalog/naval-systems/submarines/project-636/}}</ref>
*Submerged; {{convert|19|kn|km/h}}<ref name="Rosoboron exports – Project 636"/>
|range=*Snorting: {{convert|6000|mi|km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|7|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}
*Submerged: {{convert|400|mi|km}} at {{convert|3|kn|km/h}}
|endurance= Up to 45 days
|test_depth=*Operational Depth; {{convert|240|m|ft|abbr=on}}
*Maximum Depth; {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|complement= 68 (incl. 7 Officers)
|sensors=
|EW=
|armament=*[[Strela 3|9M36 Strela-3]] (SA-N-8) SAM launcher
*[[3M-54 Klub|Klub-S (3M-54E) ASCM]]
*[[53-65 torpedo|Type 53-65]] passive wake homing torpedo
*TEST 71/76 anti-submarine, active-passive homing torpedo
*24 DM-1 [[Naval mine|mines]] in lieu of torpedo tube
|notes=underwent refit from June 2006 – May 2015 at [[Hindustan Shipyard]]
}}
}}
'''INS ''Sindhukirti'' (S61)''' ({{Lit|Glory of the Sea}})<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Kirti | title=Kirti | date=22 August 2023 }}</ref> is the seventh {{sclass|Sindhughosh|submarine|0}} diesel-electric [[submarine]] of the [[Indian Navy]]. She was built at the [[Admiralty Shipyard]] and [[Sevmash]] in the [[Soviet Union]].

''Sindukirti'' was commissioned on 9 December 1989 in the Soviet Union, with Cdr. Ramdas executing her commissioning warrant. She underwent a protracted "medium refit" from June 2006 until May 2015 at the [[Hindustan Shipyard]] at [[Visakhapatnam]]. The midlife upgrade was projected to be completed in 3 years but numerous delays postponed the submarine's return.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia delayed sub refit to weaken shipyard?|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/russia-delayed-sub-refit-to-weaken-shipyard-114090201331_1.html|access-date=8 September 2014|work=Business Standard|location=India|date=2 September 2014}}</ref> Having spent one-third of her life in refit, she finally returned to service on 23 May 2015.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=Navy gets INS Sindhukirti back|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/navy-gets-ins-sindhukirti-back-115052300057_1.html|access-date=24 May 2015|work=Business Standard|location=India|date=23 May 2015}}</ref> She particapated in the [[International Fleet Review 2026]] in [[Visakhapatnam|Visakapatanam]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-14 |title=India’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to steal the show in IFR 2026 in Vizag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/indias-indigenous-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikrant-to-steal-the-show-in-ifr-2026-in-vizag/articleshow/128355649.cms |access-date=2026-02-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Description==
''Sindhukiriti'' has a length of {{convert|72.6|m|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|overall]], a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|9.9|m|abbr=on}} and a [[Draft (ship)|draft]] of {{convert|6.5|m|abbr=on}}. She displaces {{convert|2300|t|LT|0|abbr=on}} surfaced, {{convert|3100|t|LT|0|abbr=on}} submerged and has a maximum diving depth of {{convert|300|m|abbr=on}}. The complement is about 68, including 7 officers and 61 sailors.<ref name=globalsecurity>{{cite web|title=S 55 Sindhu Ghosh Class|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/s-sindu-ghosh-specs.htm|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|access-date=22 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=indiannavy>{{cite web|title=Sindhughosh class|url=http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/naval-fleet/sindhughosh-class|publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=22 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819094409/http://indiannavy.nic.in/naval-fleet/sindhughosh-class|archive-date=19 August 2013}}</ref>

The submarine has a shaft with one seven-blade propeller. It is powered by two diesel generators, each of which produce {{convert|1000|kW|abbr=on|adj=on}}. It also has an electric motor with {{convert|5500|-|6800|hp|abbr=on|adj=on}} of power. She can achieve a maximum speed of {{convert|10|-|12|kn|km/h}} when on surface and {{convert|17|-|25|kn|km/h}} when submerged.<ref name=globalsecurity/>

== Operational service and refit ==
INS ''Sindhukirti'' was commissioned on 9 December 1989, by Cdr. Kannan Ramdas. She is the seventh of the ten ''Sindhughosh''-class submarines.<ref name=globalsecurity/>

=== Midlife Medium refit ===
''Sindhukirti'' was docked at [[Hindustan Shipyard]] in June 2006 for a midlife refit which included installation of [[USHUS]] sonar and the [[3M-54 Klub|Klub-S]] cruise missiles and other hull works. It was originally planned to send her to Russia for the upgrade, like her sister ships [[INS Sindhughosh (S55)|''Sindhughosh'']], [[INS Sindhuvir (S58)|''Sindhuvir'']], [[INS Sindhuratna (S59)|''Sindhuratna'']], and [[INS Sindhuvijay (S62)|''Sindhuvijay'']]. However, it was decided that ''Sindhukirti'' would be upgraded indigenously. Hindustan Shipyard was selected for the refit due to political wrangling, against the wishes of the navy staff.<ref name=thehindu>{{cite news|last=S. Anandan|title=Body blow to Navy's submarine arm|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/body-blow-to-navys-submarine-arm/article5024348.ece|access-date=22 April 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 August 2013}}</ref><ref name=ibnlive>{{cite news|last=Vishal Thapar|title=Navy's submarine repair costs India losses|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/navys-submarine-repair-costs-india-losses/82616-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424025250/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/navys-submarine-repair-costs-india-losses/82616-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2014|access-date=22 April 2014|newspaper=IBN Live|date=14 January 2009}}</ref><ref name=toi1/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/scorpene-subs-to-join-fleet-without-torpedoes-114051500200_1.html|title = Scorpene subs to join fleet without torpedoes|newspaper = Business Standard|location=India|date = 15 May 2014|last1 = Shukla|first1 = Ajai}}</ref> HSL had a history of prolonging submarine refits, taking ten years to upgrade each of the [[Vela-class submarine]]s [[INS Vela (S40)|''Vela'']] and [[INS Vagli (S42)|''Vagli'']].<ref name="indiatoday2008">{{cite news|last1=Unnithan|first1=Sandeep|title=Navy's sub induction plan suffers blow|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/web-exclusive/story/navy-s-sub-induction-plan-suffers-blow-33547-2008-11-17|work=India Today|date=17 November 2008}}</ref>

''Sindhukirti'''s refit was scheduled for 3 years, but the refit dragged on as problems arose. The ship became known as the ''dockyard queen''.<ref name=toi1>{{cite news|title=Submarine INS Sindhukirti stuck in refit for 8 years|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Submarine-INS-Sindhukirti-stuck-in-refit-for-8-years/articleshow/31558431.cms|access-date=22 April 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=7 March 2014}}</ref> In 2009, [[Admiral]] [[Sureesh Mehta]] explained, "That kind of expertise did not exist in India before and this is for the first time that we are trying it out here. Instead of sending them to Russia all the way, this one is being offloaded to Hindustan Shipyards. There are some problems in their procurement procedures. It takes a little longer than is expected".<ref name=ibnlive/> While a Russian shipyard would deploy 200 workers in three shifts to complete the refit in two years, HSL deployed only 50 workers to work on ''Sindhukirti''.<ref name="indiatoday2008"/>

The refit included the addition of an MCA inertial navigation suite, a Palady nerve system a Pirit ship control console, [[Bharat Electronics|BEL]]'s indigenous [[USHUS (sonar)|USHUS sonar]] and a modernised CCS Mark II communications suite. It's torpedo tube was also modified to launch the [[Klub missile]] system.<ref name=":0" />

After nine years in refit, ''Sindhukirti'' finally returned to sea on 23 May 2015.<ref name=":0"/>

The submarine underwent another "normal refit" at HSL between January 2025 and 3 August 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bali |first=Pawan |date=2025-08-03 |title=Soviet-Era Sub INS Sindhukirti Rejoins Navy |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/soviet-era-sub-ins-sindhukirti-rejoins-navy-1895395 |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1951914467589275709 |user=CMD_HSL |title=Sindhukirti our Kirti... |date=2025-08-03 |access-date=2025-08-05}}</ref> By May 2025, HSL completed two of its surface sorties and was scheduled for full-power sea trials by month-end.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-30 |title=EXCLUSIVE {{!}} India’s Submarine Ambitions Accelerated by Landmark MDL–HSL Partnership |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/exclusive-indias-submarine-ambitions-accelerated-by-landmark-mdlhsl-partnership-article-151757940 |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref> The refit was a result of {{INRConvert|934|c|lk=on|year=2023}} worth contract signed between the Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Shipyard.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Aatmanirbhar Bharat: MoD inks over Rs 900 crore contract for Normal Refit of Sindhukirti Submarine at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam |date=2025-03-13 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1906425 |access-date=2025-08-05}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
INS ''Sindhukirti'' was featured in series 'Breaking point Indian Submariners' which was released on [[Veer by Discovery]] YouTube channel.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Kilo class submarine}}
{{Submarines of the Indian Navy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sindhukirti (S61)}}
[[Category:Sindhughosh-class submarines]]
[[Category:Attack submarines]]
[[Category:Ships built at Admiralty Shipyard]]
[[Category:1989 ships]]
[[Category:Submarines of India]]

INS Sindhukirti - Revision history

Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil at 16:48, 5 May 2026