The Indian Navy has long been a cornerstone of India’s defence strategy, tasked with safeguarding the country’s extensive maritime borders. However, a troubling trend of accidents and mishaps has raised serious concerns about the navy’s operational readiness and safety protocols. Between 2007 and 2016, the Indian Navy reported 38 accidents involving ships and submarines, as noted in a 2017 audit report tabled in Parliament. Despite recommendations and corrective measures suggested by experts and various audit reports, the navy appears to have struggled to implement effective changes, posing a significant risk to national security.
A string of accidents and their implications
The 2016 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report highlighted a series of naval accidents over a nine-year period, revealing that 39 per cent were due to fire, explosion or flooding. These incidents led to the deaths of 33 personnel including six officers. Furthermore, 16 per cent of the accidents involved vessels touching the seabed, another 16 per cent were due to collisions and the remaining 29 per cent included various incidents such as accidental stranding, venting of poisonous gas and damage to onboard equipment. The report criticised the navy’s safety protocols attributing many of these accidents to crew error and material failure.
In a more recent incident on July 21, 2024, INS Brahmaputra, a nearly 3,900-tonne frontline guided-missile frigate sustained extensive damage when a fire erupted onboard. The crew, alongside naval dockyard fire brigade personnel, managed to control the blaze but the incident underscored ongoing issues within the navy’s maintenance and safety procedures. Such incidents raise serious questions about the adequacy of repairs and maintenance of ships at naval dockyards.
The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi emphasised the urgent need for INS Brahmaputra to be made seaworthy and combat-ready as soon as possible. An expert team is scheduled to assess the situation following which a salvage operation will be initiated to bring the frigate to an upright position. This event highlights the navy’s persistent struggles with safety and maintenance, a pattern echoed in the earlier incident involving INS Betwa.
INS Betwa’s costly salvage operation
On December 6, 2016, the Indian Navy faced an unprecedented incident at the Mumbai naval dockyard involving the guided missile frigate INS Betwa. The 3,850-tonne warship tipped over while undergoing a routine undocking procedure during its maintenance refit resulting in the tragic death of two sailors and injuries to 14 others. The mishap not only blocked the main naval dry dock but also temporarily halted the operational readiness of a critical asset of the Indian Navy. After extensive salvage efforts, the navy announced on February 23, 2017, that the frigate had been righted and would be fully operational by April 2018.
The incident occurred due to a miscalculation in the “load distribution equilibrium” during the complex and delicate undocking procedure. Instead of floating safely, INS Betwa slipped from its dock blocks, tilted sharply and crashed flat onto its left (port) side. This left the ship with substantial damage, including at least 25 per cent flooding in its compartments. INS Betwa, armed with Uran anti-ship missiles, Barak-1 surface-to-air missiles and torpedoes, is one of the principal warships of the Western Naval Command.
The Indian Navy enlisted the expertise of Resolve Marine Group, an international salvage firm based in the United States. A contract worth Rs 20 crore (approximately $3 million) was signed with the company to restore the frigate to its upright position. The challenging task required innovative techniques as the salvage team needed to refloat the frigate without using external lifting mechanisms. Instead, they utilised a methodical process of flooding and pumping the ship’s compartments to achieve the desired balance and buoyancy. By February 22, 2017, the salvage operation was successfully completed and INS Betwa was back on an even keel floating like any other warship.
INS Betwa’s resilient journey
INS Betwa’s history is marked by both its accomplishments and its challenges. Commissioned in July 2004, the frigate is named after the Betwa River in Madhya Pradesh, symbolising resilience and strength. The ship’s crest features the Stupa of Sanchi, reflecting its indomitable spirit. Throughout its service, INS Betwa has participated in numerous naval exercises demonstrating its capabilities as a Brahmaputra-class frigate designed and developed indigenously in India.
However, the incident in December 2016 was not the first time INS Betwa faced adversity. In January 2014, the ship ran aground after colliding with an unidentified object while approaching the Mumbai naval base, resulting in damage to its sonar dome and water ingress into sensitive equipment. The vessel’s crew had to navigate a complex repair and recovery process, reflecting their commitment to maintaining the frigate’s operational readiness.
INS Sindhurakshak tragedy
The accident involving INS Betwa was a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the Indian Navy in maintaining its fleet’s safety and operational efficiency. It came just three years after the tragic incident involving INS Sindhurakshak, a Russian-made Kilo-class submarine. On August 14, 2013, INS Sindhurakshak suffered a catastrophic fire and explosion while berthed at Mumbai’s naval dockyard, resulting in the loss of 18 crew members and the sinking of the submarine.
INS Sindhurakshak had previously encountered challenges during its service including a fire in 2010 while stationed in Visakhapatnam. The fire was caused by an explosion in the submarine’s battery compartment attributed to a faulty battery valve leaking hydrogen gas. The incident resulted in the death of one sailor and injuries to two others.
Following the 2010 incident, INS Sindhurakshak underwent extensive upgrades and retrofitting at the Zvezdochka shipyard in Russia, costing $80 million. The submarine returned to India in 2013, equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, integrated weapon control systems, and enhanced safety features. However, the explosion and sinking in 2013 rendered the submarine irreparable leading to its eventual disposal in 2017 after being used for marine commando training. The navy spent a whopping Rs 240 crore to salvage the submarine only to be sunk later at a depth of 3,000-metre in the Arabian Sea as it was no longer fit for service.
A troubling trend in naval safety
The series of accidents involving INS Betwa, INS Sindhurakshak, INS Brahmaputra and other naval assets indicate a troubling pattern of safety oversights and inadequate maintenance procedures within the Indian Navy. This trend of frequent mishaps suggests that the navy has not fully implemented the corrective measures recommended by experts and audit reports, which is concerning for national security. A 2013 India Today report highlighted that since 1990 the Indian Navy has lost one warship every five years in peacetime, a dubious record not shared by many other navies.
With a fleet of 150 ships and submarines and 300 aircraft, the Indian Navy plays a crucial role in national defence. Yet, the persistent safety issues undermine its operational effectiveness and readiness. The 2016 CAG report criticised the Navy’s safety protocols, pointing out that many accidents resulted from crew error and material failure. These deficiencies raise questions about how repairs and maintenance are planned and executed at naval dockyards.
The Indian Navy’s repeated accidents, high salvage costs and poor safety record are worrisome for a nation that relies heavily on its maritime forces for defence and security. The incidents serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for improved safety protocols, meticulous maintenance procedures and the implementation of corrective measures to prevent future mishaps. As the navy strives to overcome these challenges, it must prioritise the safety and operational readiness of its fleet to fulfill its mission of safeguarding India’s maritime interests effectively.
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How INS Brahmaputra-like accidents sink Indian Navy’s safety record and finances
