File Photo of Defence Minister Arun Jaitley
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley may get to see the salvaged INS Sindhurakshak submarine during his Mumbai visit on Saturday where he will review the operational preparedness of the Western Naval Command.
The submarine had sunk on August 14 last year after an explosion killing all 18 personnel on board. It is submerged in its berthing dock in the Naval dockyards in Mumbai and is being salvaged to verify the exact reasons for the mishap.
The work on the salvage operations is in advanced stages as the submarine has been lifted from the ground by the American salvage firm and is expected to be brought out of water anytime, Navy officials said.
The Defence Minister may get to see the submarine out of water, they said.
During his visit to the Western Command, Jaitley will also commission two fast-attack craft ICGS Achook and ICGS Agrim, of the Indian Coast Guard.
This is Jaitley's maiden visit as Defence Minister as he has been busy with briefings by officials and the chiefs of armed forces on the functioning and performance of various departments.
Mr Jaitley will also visit INS Viraat in Mumbai harbour and then move to review the functioning and operational preparedness of the Western Naval Command.
INS Viraat was till recently the only aircraft carrier in the Indian Navy and the force is working towards keeping it operational for a few more years to meet its requirements.
The Western Naval Command, considered to be the sword-arm of the Indian Navy, suffered major blows in terms of the loss of INS Sindhurakshak.
The Defence Minister has been invited by the armed forces to visit far-flung bases to show solidarity with the troops and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to have been invited to visit Siachen glacier by the Army and largest warship aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya by the Navy.