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Gaps in defence preparedness of submarines: CAG

NEW DELHI: With the current multi-billion submarine construction programme falling behind schedule, India is in danger of operating with only half its sub-surface force levels in future, warns a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India tabled in Parliament on Friday.

The second audit of the availability and upkeep of submarines in two decades found the same gaps in defence preparedness of this vital arm of the navy that is pushed as the most reliable nuclear deterrent. Most of the submarines were old and some should have had no justification for being included in the fleet. Repairs (refits) were slow and nearly always behind schedule. Mid-life refits to make the submarines more potent were a mixed success.

The previous audit revealed low operational availability and stresses of ageing.

The latest review said actual force levels were nowhere near the planned levels, of this only half the strength was operationally available.

“The Navy is unlikely to achieve the target of acquisition of 50 per cent of the force level by 2012 as its construction plans for new class of submarines has fallen behind schedule.”

The navy also does not have the specialised equipment to rescue its sailors in case a submarine goes down. As a result, they have had to sign an agreement with the U.S. for rushing its submarine rescue kit in case of an accident. The Ministry of Defence could not decide on a Rs. 300 crore deep submergence rescue vessel (DSRV) even as it finalised a contract for six submarines worth roughly Rs. 15,000 crore.

The tender for DRSVs is being issued afresh even as the navy continues to operate submarines, which CAG described as “[of] 1960 vintage...have long outlived their prescribed service life. Nonetheless these are being shown as part of the existing force level.”

Life in a submarine is described as the most cramped livening condition in the armed forces but some of them do not have proper air-conditioning resulting in poor living conditions and malfunctioning of weapons and sensors.

Attempts at upgrading submarines ran aground several times, often because of shortcomings in indigenous development.

Apart from launching surprise attacks on enemy vessels, navies have other roles as well such as laying offensive mine fields, blocking enemy ports and lines of communication, landing teams for intelligence gathering and special operations. Besides gaining expertise in manufacturing diesel-electric submarines, India aspires to join the handful of countries operating the more lethal nuclear powered submarines that have phenomenal capability of staying submerged.

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