The Indian Navy faces significant challenges following two recent incidents, which highlighted critical safety and maintenance concerns. Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh addressed these issues during the Annual Press Conference of Navy Week 2024.
INS Brahmaputra, the Indian Navy warship recently struck by a devastating fire, has been restored upright and will soon return to active duty. Western Naval Command confirmed the damage assessment and initial repairs.
“The first part of getting the raging rhino back on her feet has been achieved… ‘Raging Rhino’ will be back at sea soon,” assured Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
He addressed media personnel on December 3 during the Annual Press Conference of Navy Week 2024 onboard the Western Fleet’s stealth destroyer INS Mormugao in Mumbai.
“Raging Rhino” Brought “Upright”
The Indian Navy suffered a major setback when the Rs 6,000-crore INS Brahmaputra, a 3,900-tonne guided-missile frigate, sustained severe damage in a fire on July 21, 2024.
The blaze left the warship heavily damaged and tilting significantly to one side. Tragically, the body of junior sailor Sitendra Singh, who went missing during the mishap, was recovered on July 24, as confirmed by the Navy.
At the time of the incident, the vessel was undergoing refit operations at the Mumbai naval dockyard.
“The first step in getting the ‘Raging Rhino’ back on her feet has been achieved. She was brought upright on November 2. On November 4, we proudly re-hoisted the ensign with honors, and by November 8, she was placed in the dry dock,” said Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh.
“Navy officials are conducting immediate damage assessment and carrying out initial repairs. We are planning ahead to determine how long the restoration will take. The restoration plan is currently being prepared and will be finalized once we complete a full survey of the damage,” he added.
Ongoing Assessments And Repairs
Vice Admiral Singh further explained that the ongoing assessment focuses on the extent of damage to the ship’s equipment. “Some equipment may be repairable, while others may not. Some will need to be replaced entirely. This assessment is ongoing, and we expect to conclude the scope of work within this month. Following that, we will immediately implement the restoration plan,” he explained.
Despite the significant damage, which initially raised doubts about the warship’s recoverability, Vice Admiral Singh remained resolute, dismissing any skepticism.
“The Brahmaputra has a logo of the Raging Rhino. Even on the day the accident occurred, we said the Raging Rhino will rise again and lead the charge in the years to come,” he affirmed.
INS Brahmaputra, commissioned in 2000, was built by the state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited. It is the lead ship of the indigenously built Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigates.
The warship is equipped with a comprehensive range of weapons, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, medium-range guns, anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars and sonars, and electronic warfare systems.
The fire, detected by duty staff during routine maintenance, was eventually controlled by the crew with assistance from naval dockyard fire brigade personnel. While the blaze was successfully contained, the incident underscored persistent concerns regarding the Navy’s maintenance and safety procedures.
A Recent Collision Involving INS Karanj
In another incident, the Indian Navy’s Kalvari-class submarine, INS Karanj, collided with a fishing boat off the coast of Goa, prompting new safety protocols.
The accident took place on November 21, approximately 70 nautical miles off the coast of Goa. Tragically, two fishermen lost their lives, while 11 others survived.
Following the incident, an FIR was filed against the fishing boat’s captain on November 30 based on a complaint from the Indian Navy.
Commenting on the incident, Singh stated, “The submarine was on an operational transit when it collided with a fishing vessel. As a result of the collision, both the fishing vessel and the submarine sustained damage. The Indian Navy immediately launched an extensive search and rescue operation in close cooperation with the Coast Guard. The search continued for over four days.”
Navy Faces Safety And Maintenance Concerns
Both incidents raised significant concerns about the Indian Navy’s maintenance protocols and the safety records of its assets during peacetime.
Given the history of accidents involving the Indian Navy, there are concerns regarding how repairs and maintenance of aging ships and submarines are planned and executed. Between 2007 and 2016, the Navy reported 38 accidents involving ships and submarines, according to a 2017 audit report presented in the Parliament.
Despite these setbacks, Vice Admiral Singh reassured the public, stating, “Accidents and incidents, though we may hope and pray they never happen, shall inevitably occur. However, I can assure you that no matter when such events take place, we shall rise again, get back on our feet, and return to sea. We shall be out there when action is required, leading from the front, ensuring maritime security, and fulfilling our duties and tasks.”
Vice Admiral Singh’s remarks came ahead of Navy Day celebrations on December 4, which honors the Indian Navy’s pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. On that day, Indian naval forces conducted a successful operation off Karachi, striking with precision and demonstrating their tactical brilliance and combat readiness.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for ET Prime. In this capacity, she focused on covering defense strategies and the defense sector from a financial perspective. She offers over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
