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Our Bureau

Mumbai , May 27

THE Indian Navy will be approaching the highest authority in the country to expedite clearance of its crucial Project 75 programme, which involves acquisition and building of submarines.

Project 75 of the Indian Navy, which envisages building of 24 submarines by 2025-2030, is before the Cabinet Committee on Security for two years now for final approval.

"It is time to go to the highest level," the Chief of the Naval Staff, Adm Arun Prakash, said at a ceremony at the Mazagaon Dock to mark the launch of the third Stealth Frigate under the Project-17 programme here on Friday.

Talking to presspersons on the sidelines of the launch ceremony, he said aging submarines would start retiring from service from 2012, which meant that building of new ones must start now.

He pointed out that Pakistan had acquired and built three submarines and was planning to build at least three more.

The Naval chief also pointed out that several countries around India, including Myanmar and Thailand, were acquiring submarines.

"The delay in decision-making is causing enormous cost over-runs since the euro was fast appreciating," he said.

According to Admiral Prakash, as against the Navy's need to commission six to seven ships every year to be able to maintain its force level, it was getting only two to three ships.

The Stealth Frigate, INS Sahyadri, is 143 m long and 16.9 m wide, displacing about 4,900 tonnes and powered by gas turbines and diesel engines to achieve a speed of over 30 knots. For three years, she would be fitted out with weapons and censors to ready her to join the navy.

It has a stealth character that reduces its signature and makes it difficult for enemy censors to detect her. Her weapons are a mix of Western, Russian and `desi' systems. The main gun is 76 mm Oto Melara SRGM and anti-air capability is Shtil missile. The Klub is the primary surface-to-surface missile.

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