INS Shankush

Why is in news? Defence Ministry signed contract of two thousand 725 crore rupees with MRLC of Submarine INS Shankush

Defence Ministry has signed a contract of two thousand 725 crore rupees with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for Medium Refit with Life Certification (MRLC) of Submarine INS Shankush.

Shankush is a Sub-Surface Killer Class of Submarine to be re-fitted at Mumbai.

The Ministry said, the delivery of the Submarine post-MRLC will be in 2026.

After completion of MRLC, INS Shankush will be combat-ready and will join the active fleet of the Indian Navy with upgraded combat capability.

This project is an important step towards the development of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited as a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Hub for supporting the industrial ecosystem of India.

The project will involve more than 30 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sectors.

The Ministry said the project will be a proud flag bearer of Atmanirbhar Bharat in consonance with the Make-in-India initiative of the government.

INS Shankush:

INS Shankush (S45) (Ray of Light) is a Shishumar-class diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy.

The Shishumar-class submarines are diesel-electric attack submarines, currently in active service with the Indian Navy.

These submarines are an Indian variant of the Type 209 submarines developed by the German yard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft under the internal designation "Type 1500".

The first two vessels were built by HDW at Kiel, Germany, while the remainder were built by Mazagon Dock Limited, at Mumbai, India, under a technology transfer agreement.

The submarines were commissioned between 1986 and 1994. These submarines have a displacement of 1,660 tons when surfaced, a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph), and a complement of 40 including eight officers.

The 4 Shishumar class submarines which are active in service include INS Shishumar, INS Shankush, INS Shalki, INS Shankul.