Severe Damage to INS Brahmaputra Raises Alarming Concerns for Indian Navy

State-of-the-Art Vessel Faces Uncertain Future

In a concerning development, the guided missile frigate INS Brahmaputra, a state-of-the-art vessel in its class, has sustained severe damage. Commissioned in 2000, the ship has faithfully served India for 24 years. With a displacement weight of 3850 tons and a cost of 6,000 crores, the incident represents a significant loss. Recently docked at a port in Mumbai, the frigate unexpectedly tipped over sideways, remaining underwater for an extended period. The Navy is currently assessing the extent of the damage and the feasibility of salvaging the ship. Tragically, one sailor is reported missing, and a search operation is underway.

A Decade of Persistent Losses

This incident is particularly distressing as it highlights a pattern of continuous damage to Indian submarines and warships over the past decade, resulting in substantial financial losses. The increase in taxes, especially investment taxes, contrasts sharply with the defense budget, which remains significantly below the 100 billion-dollar mark. The damage to such an expensive asset raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the current defense spending.

Series of Incidents Raise Red Flags

Contrary to initial assumptions that the ship merely tilted sideways with minimal damage, it was revealed that the frigate caught fire internally. The full extent of damage to its systems remains unknown, leaving uncertainty about whether the ship will be restored or reduced to scrap. This incident adds to a growing list of naval mishaps:

• In 2013, INS Sindhurakshak, an Indian submarine, caught fire, causing massive damage and ending its service.
• In the same year, INS Konkan also suffered heavy damage due to a fire.
• In 2014, INS Sindhuratna, another Kilo-class submarine, caught fire, resulting in the loss of two officers.
• In 2016, the decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Viraat experienced a minor fire.
• Later in 2016, INS Betwa had a major accident while undocking in Mumbai, causing two fatalities and 14 injuries.

These incidents have raised questions about whether proper procedures are followed during ship handling and if the processes need to be upgraded to international standards.

Aging Fleet and Security Concerns

The continued occurrence of such accidents points to the aging condition of many Indian warships, some of which are 20-25 years old. This trend poses a significant security concern, especially as our defense budget remains inadequate.

China, with its 45 frigates, and Pakistan, with nine frigates, are ahead in terms of naval strength. India, with only 11-12 frigates, faces a serious security threat if its current fleet continues to suffer such damage. Addressing these issues promptly is crucial, and it is hoped that the investigation into the recent incident will lead to effective measures to prevent future occurrences.