10 months after sinking, submarine INS Sindhurakshak salvaged

Later, a decision would be taken by the Indian Navy of giving it for scrapping.

The salvage operation - reportedly costing Rs.2.40 billion - was started in February this year and successfully completed by Resolve India, the Indian subsidiary of an American company, Resolve Marine Group.

The five-month-long salvage operation included dredging the seabed around the tragedy site to at least eight feet to enable the special salvage vessels and equipment reach the submarine.

Commissioned in 1997, INS Sindhurakshak had once hosted then president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who created history by becoming the first head of state and the Supreme Commander of Indian armed forces to sail in a submarine Feb 13, 2006.

The announcement came a day before new Defence Minister Arun Jaitley is due to visit the Western Naval Command here Saturday.