Six months after the fire on submarine INS Sindhu Rakshak here, the salvage operation will finally begin with the Ministry of Defence signing a contract with an American firm.
"The MoD has signed a contract with the Indian arm of Resolve Salvage and Fire Limited for Rs 200 crore," said a defence source.
On August 14 last year there was an explosion on the Russian-made Kilo-class submarine. Eighteen Navy personnel, including three officers, were onboard during the incident.
Till now only 11 bodies have been found.
Source added that it will take around six months to complete the salvaging process.
"Resolve Salvage was picked from amongst seven internationals firms which bid," added the source.
The firm is currently moving its equipment and experts to berth at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard where Sindhu Rakshak was anchored at the time of mishap, after which diving operations will be undertaken and salvage plan will be decided.
