New Delhi, August 22
Admitting that the sinking of submarine INS Sindhurakshak has cast a shadow on the capability of the Indian Navy to provide maritime security, Defence Minister AK Antony today said the Board of Inquiry (BoI) set up will look into all aspects, including ‘sabotage’, behind the August 14 fire and explosion.

Responding to clarifications from Rajya Sabha members on the incident, Antony said terms of reference to the BoI set up by the Navy is to examine all aspects of the likely causes of the incident. To a specific question from members whether it includes sabotage, he said nothing is being ruled out.

While emphasising that nothing conclusive could be said at the moment on the exact cause of the incident, he said the BoI has been asked to complete its task as soon as possible. He said naval divers have so far recovered severn bodies and the remains of one more expressing doubts over the possibility of survivors among the rest 11 personnel who were among the 18 on board when it sunk. The minister said several international and Indian companies are carrying out survey to salvage the vessel and bring it up. The Russian company, where the kilo-class submarine was built and upgrade carried out, will be associated later.

The Indian Navy, he said, has already ordered security audit of the remaining submarines and would ask whether a similar exercise could be carried on all warships in the fleet. The Navy, he said, does not have a system of insuring warships and submarines.

To address the concerns of reducing fleet of submarines, he said while six Scorpene submarines under Project 75 are being built by Mazagon Docks, another six under Project 75 I are in advanced stage with the ministry in the process of preparing a note for approval of the Cabinet Committee of Security. 

If required, he said, other existing submarines could be considered for upgrade till adequate force levels are reached to meet demands of emerging security scenario in Indian Ocean and the extended region. The Defence Minister said naval divers are submitting all material, including metals and partially burnt yellow coloured material, found near the jetty that is being inspected by the Naval armament inspectors.