Article Posted on : - Aug 13, 2010

INS Sindhurakshak. A file photo.

MOSCOW (PTI): India's fifth Kilo class diesel-electric submarine INS Sindhurakshak has arrived at a Russian shipyard for an overhaul under a recent contract, the shipyard company said on Thursday.

The INS Sindhurakshak would be the fifth Indian submarine to be upgraded by Russia's Zvyozdochka shipyard at Severodvinsk on White Sea.

The submarine is being upgraded under a direct contract between the Zvezdochka shipyard and the Indian defence ministry, signed on June 4, 2010.

Russia has built ten Kilo class submarines for India and has already overhauled four of them at the Zvezdochka shipyard in the north of the country. One submarine is being retrofitted at Vishakhapattanam, ITAR-TASS reported.

The upgrade programme includes a complete overhaul of the submarine, including its hull structures, as well as improved control systems, sonar, electronic warfare systems, and an integrated weapon control system.

The upgrade is reported to cost around USD 80 million, RIA Novosti added.