A.K. Antony also said naval divers were yet to fully access the Russian-built INS Sindhurakshak which sank in a Mumbai harbour last Wednesday after a series of explosions in which munitions ignited. [break]
"Extensive checks on weapons-related safety systems and standard operating procedures on all operational submarines of the Indian navy have been ordered," Antony told parliament.
India currently has nine functional Russian-built and four German-origin diesel-fired submarines besides a nuclear-powered submarine which Moscow has leased to the Indian navy.
The fully-armed submarine is resting on the bottom of the harbour and Antony said divers and engineers were struggling to re-float it because of holes in its previously water-right compartments.
"Globally-renowned professional salvage agencies have been approached and they are undertaking the study of salvage operations," Antony told parliament´s upper house.
"There is also an offer of help from Russia where the refit and upgrade had been undertaken," he added.
The disaster, the navy´s worst since the sinking of a frigate by a Pakistani submarine in 1971, has cast a shadow over India´s defence capabilities as it seeks to counter a military build-up by an increasingly assertive China.
Just days before, India had launched its first domestically-built aircraft carrier and began sea trials for the first Indian-made nuclear submarine, trumpeted as a "giant stride" for the country.
In February 2010, the INS Sindhurakshak suffered a fire while docked in Visakhapatnam city in southern India, killing a 24-year-old sailor.
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