A major fire broke out on board the INS Sindhurakshak submarine at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard late on Tuesday night. What impact with the incident have on the Indian Navy. Former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the issue.
Q. It's shocking an contrasting news because 2 days ago, the entire nation was exuberant with the launch of INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and a nuclear submarine and now this tragedy. Was it purely an accident or any element of sabotage? Asked by: Raghu Vannekala
A. Yes, this is really disheartening after the euphoria about Arihant and Vikrant. The navy has already initiated an enquiry which will go very deeply into all aspects of the accident and try to pinpoint the exact cause in the shortest possile time. Till that happens we must assume that it was a system malfunction or mishap. Sabotage in an operational unit of the armed forces is rare.
Q. Sir, deeply saddened by the loss of brave naval lives lost in a horrific submarine fire. My prayers go out to them. But my questions Is how does it affect the Moral of the Naval Marine also we have lost one submarine out of 14 operational does it affect over all preparedness? Asked by: Alok
A. This serious accident to an operational submarine will certainly come as a shock to all naval personnel, especially since the fate of 18 personnel still hangs in balance. However people in the armed forces have to take such things in their stride and not let it affect their morale and fighting spirit. After all in war you lose ships and comerades all the time. The loss of a submarine will impact on the navy's force-levels, but they are expecting new Scorpene class subs to be delivered in a few month's time and that should compensate to an extent.
Q. This sub was Diesel- Electric powered. If such a mishap happens in a Nuclear powered Sub the effects could be disastrous? Are there additional safety measures in place of nuke powered sub? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. You are right that an accident on a nuclear-powered sub can have far more serious consequences. However the system integrity and redundancy as well as safety procedures on these subs are commensurately much higher and accidents are relatively rare.
Q. Dear Admiral, I am feeling very much for this Tragedy particularly when our country has to face our two eternal enemies China and Pakistan.. Can our Navy recoup quickly from this calamity? Asked by: Raghava Rao Karavadi
A. Yes, it is a bad time for such an accident to have occured. However our navy has a lot of resilience, and will take quick measures to recover from this setback. Don't forget that we have INS Chakra a nuclear-powered attack submarine (on lease from Russia) which can be counted as equivalent in capability to 3-4 deisel subs. We are also expecting delivery of Scorpene submarines from Mazagon Docks in a few months.
Q. The IB had issued an alert for West coast. Was our navy fully operational to avert any terror activity. Will the loss of Submarine weaken our defence of the west Coast? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. While I doubt if the IB alert has any relation to this accident, I am sure the navy was fully prepared to counter any terror threat. Submarines, as you know, are weapons of offence, and defence of West coast will not be affected.
Q. Sir, Navy's Promotion Policy for officers specially Executive officers direly linked with the sailing performance....which sometimes caused negligence of maintenance and ops status of the unit....is it not possible to delinked promotion policy from no of days sailing etc? Asked by: xyz
A. Having retired many years ago, I am not in a position to comment on this issue. However, I am sure that the navy does its best to balance operational readiness (or 'sailing performance') with maintenance of systems and machinery.
Q. Globally has there been any such mishaps earlier on a submarine? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. There have been many similar submarine disasters world-wide. On 12th August 2000 the Russian navy lost the submarine 'Kursk' at sea, with 118 crew due to an explosion on board.
Q. It is said that the vessel had a minor fire an year or two back. Could it be that the repair of that time was improper resulting in present mishap? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Unlikely, because it has been operating extensively since that incident.
Q. Can the missiles and Torpedoes in the Submarine go off on their own accidentally? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. No, they have enough safety devices to ensure accidental detonation. However, if high temperature conditions are created in close vicinity of the weapon, there is possibility of the propellant motor or war-head detonating. Such conditions can e created if a fire takes place due to another cause.
Q. The cause of the mishap is under investigation.Is it needed to be made public? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. No it is not. Only the navy needs to know and to learn lessons for the future.
Q. How long will it take for the Navy to get the replacement Submarine ?? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Six submarines of the Scorpene class are under construction in Mazagon Docks Mumbai.The first of these is due for delivery in a few months time, and the sixth by 2020. In addition, a project for construction of 6-12 more subs is being taken up by the navy.
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