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) - Undergoing Refit
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 with 3650 hp, one 5900 hp motor, two auxiliary motors with 204 hp and one economic speed motor with 130 hp.
Maximum Speed: Surfaced; 10 knots.
.......................Snorting; 9 knots.
.......................Dived; 17 knots.
Maximum Range: 6000 miles at 7 knots snorting.
.......................400 miles at 3 knots dived.
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.
Sonar: One MG-519 (NATO: Mouse Roar) hull mounted sonar, active search with high frequency.
.........One MGK-400 (NATO: Shark Teeth/Shark Fin) hull mounted sonar, active/passive search & attack with medium frequency. A new sonar system (probably the MGK-400EM) is likely being installed during mid-life refits. INS Sindhugosh is fitted with a new indigenous Panchendriya package, which includes a sonar (USHUS) plus a fire control system.
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. The system's hardware consists of modern, high-speed data processing computers and multifunctional displays. 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 and DEMON 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.
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, MGK-400EM 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.
Weapons Control: Uzel MVU-119EM TCFS.
Weapons: 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. INS Sindhushastra is armed with the Klub-S (3M-54E variant) 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 five missiles can be carried, leaving room for a mix of torpedoes. In July 2006, it was announced that six of the boats would be armed with the land-attack variant of the Klub-S (3M-14E).
Six 533mm torpedo tubes which carries 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.
Jane's Defence Upgrades (JDU) 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.
Carries 24 DM-1 mines in lieu of torpedoes.
Countermeasures: A 'Squid Head' radar warning is used for ESM purposes.
Comments: Kilo Class submarines have been nicknamed 'Black Hole' by NATO for their silent operation in the sea. An agreement with Russia was concluded in the mid-1980s for the transfer of eight Kilo Class submarines. 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 'improved' Kilo Class boats were ordered by the Indian Navy and the first - INS Sindhurakshak - was commissioned in December 1997 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 - commissioned in July 2000 also at St. Petersburg, is rumoured to be a Type 636.
INS Sindhuvir completed a two-year mid-life refit at the Admiralty Shipyard, St. Petersburg in April 1999 and she was ready for active service in October 1999. INS Sindhuraj returned to Mumbai after completing her refit, also at the Admiralty Shipyard. INS Sindhukesari returned to Mumbai after completing her refit at the Zvyozdochka (Little Star) shipyard in Severodvinsk. INS Sindhuratna also completed her refit at Zvyozdochka SY and in September 2002, left on her return journey to India. INS Sindhugosh is the third submarine to complete her refit at the Zvyozdochka SY and returned to India in late 2005. INS Sindhuvijay is the next submarine undergoing a modernisation, which began in June 2005 also at the Zvyozdochka SY.
The mid-life refit involves 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 and costs roughly US $80 million. The refit sees the submarines being installed with the Klub-S ASCM (a maximum of five missiles can be carried) 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.
INS Sindhugosh has likely been equipped with the 3M-14E land-attack cruise missile, a member of Klub family. The submarine has also been equipped with a Panchendriya package, which includes an Indian sonar (USHUS) developed by NPOL (Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory) of the Indian Navy and by BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited) and a fire control system developed by BEL and the Indian Navy's WEESE (Weapons Engineering & Electronics System Engineering) unit. The remaining submarines due for their mid-life refits, are to be fitted with this new indigenous Panchendriya package. The USHUS sonar is reported to offer superior performance over comparable Russian sonars.
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." This indicates that future refits of the remaining submarines might occur in India itself, rather than being sent to Russia. Reports indicate that the mid-life refits of two more submarines will occur at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Vishakapatnam under Russian technical supervision. The two boats in question are probably INS Sindhukirti and INS Sindhudhvaj, as they are the last pair (from the original eight vessels) to undergo a mid-life refit. The United News of India (UNI) reported on 12 January 2006, that refit work had commenced on INS Sindhukirti at Hindustan SY Ltd.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), on 06 July 2006, approved the purchase of 28 Klub-S (3M-14E variant) land-attack cruise missiles at a cost of Rs 844.58 crores (USD $184 million). Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee stated, "One has already been delivered, while another one is being retrofitted in Russia. The other four will be fitted with the missiles in India." This indicates that probably INS Sindhugosh is one of the boats being fitted with 3M-14E variant, as she is the last boat to have recently returned to India after completing her mid-life refit in Russia. INS Sindhuvijay appears to be the second boat to be armed with this missile variant, as she is the only boat currently in Russia undergoing a mid-life refit. The other four boats are more than likely to be the ones that have completed their mid-life refits. 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.