Moscow, April 22, 2005 (PTI)

INS Sindhughosh, a diesel- electric Indian naval submarine, was launched today at a shipyard in northern Russia after deep upgradation with a cruise missile complex and sonar system.

Launched with the breaking of coconut and Champagne bottle, Sindhughosh (Sea Soul) is the third Kilo class submarine of project 877EKM modernised by "Zvyozdochka" (Little Star) shipyard situated in Severodvinsk on the White Sea in the Arctic Circle.

Built in 1985 at Soviet "Admiralty Shipyard' in Leningrad (now St Petersburg), INS Sindhughosh has been retrofitted with Russian "Club-S" cruise missile complex capable of destroying enemy ships, submarines and coastal targets within a range of 200 km.

In the course of its upgradation, it has also been fitted with Indian sonar "Ushas" and telecom system "CCS-MK".

After all-round trials at sea INS Sindhughosh would sail for home later this year.

Earlier, INS Sindhuvir and INS Sindhuratna had also undergone similar upgradation in "Zvyozdochka" shipyard in 1999 and 2002.

Two more Kilo class submarines were simultaneously modernised at 'Admiralty Shipyards" in St. Petersburg as part of the rejuvenation of the Indian Navy's underwater might.

According to a spokesman of the shipyard, another Indian submarine INS "Sindhuvijay" would arrive in Severodvinsk next month for upgradation, ITAR-TASS reported.