Twitter
Advertisement

That sinking feeling! AK Antony pulls up navy

Says analyse Sindhurakshak tragedy and learn lessons for future.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Pulling up the Indian Navy for the sinking of INS Sindhurakshak in which 18 personnel lost their lives, defence minister AK Antony on Wednesday asked the force “not to fritter away” such expensive national resource.

Terming the death of 18 crew members on board INS Sindhurakshak as tragic, he told a Navy Commanders conference “it must be ensured that safety mechanism are topmost priority and Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) are adhered to strictly and without exception”.

“It is imperative to pay utmost attention to such instances and make earnest efforts to minimise, if not eliminate them,” he told the navy officers.

He also said there was a need to “seriously reflect upon the unprecedented tragedy, analyse it and also draw lessons for future even as attempts to salvage the submarine and an inquiry to ascertain the possible cause of the accident is already under way”.

On the eve of the Independence Day, the navy’s frontline submarine sank in the Arabian sea after a series of explosions. Preliminary reports suggest that the explosion happened at the time of loading of torpedo missiles in the submarine which was berthed at the Mumbai coast.

The defence minister said the nuclear-powered reactor on board INS Arihant becoming critical is a major boost to India’s strategic deterrence capability.  “Once we reach the next milestone, namely commencement of sea trials of the submarine, it would make India only the sixth nation in the world to build and operate nuclear-powered submarines,” he said. 

“This would mark another stride forward in realizing our long cherished objective of achieving nuclear triad capability” he added. 

In addition, the launch of GSAT-7 will also significantly increase our net-centric capabilities, he said.

He also referred to the recent incidents where some naval officers have been allegedly involved in sex scandals and said, “There have been some isolated cases which have proved to be a cause for serious concern and embarrassment.”

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement