Minor Collision Between INS Sindhughosh Submarine and Fishing Trawler Off Mumbai's Coast

All India | Reported by Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Edited by Abhinav Bhatt | Updated: February 22, 2015 22:59 IST

Representative image of the Sindhughosh-class submarines of the Indian Navy

New Delhi: INS Sindhughosh, a Kilo-class submarine, had a minor collision with a fishing trawler off the coast of Mumbai on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, the Navy has said.

However, there were no major damages to the submarine in the collision, the Navy added. The Ministry of Defence has been informed about the incident.

The submarine was part of an exercise being conducted in pitch dark conditions. Its periscope suffered minor dislocation after it hit the unlit fishing vessel.

The submarine has since returned to Mumbai dock yard and repairs would begin soon.

This is not the first time INS Sindhughosh has been involved in a collision. In 2008, the submarine collided with a foreign merchant vessel, MV Leeds Castle, while it was trying to surface in the seas about 740 km from Mumbai.

Sindhughosh class submarines are the Kilo class diesel-electric submarines. They are designated 877EKM, and were built under a contract between Rosvooruzhenie and the Defence Ministry. The submarines have a displacement of 3,000 tonnes, a maximum diving depth of 300 meters, top speed of 18 knots, and are able to operate solo for 45 days with a crew of 53, according to the Indian Navy.
Story First Published: February 22, 2015 21:14 IS