Mumbai: A day after the ill-fated Russian-made Kilo-class Indian Navy Submarine Sindhurakshak was raised out of the water, Union Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday visited Western Naval Command in Mumbai who briefed him about the second probe ordered into the case.
Jaitley was accompanied by Navy Chief Robin Dhawan.
The Union Minister who met Western Naval Command onboard INS Virat later told reporters, "Defence secretary and Navy have briefed me. I am fully aware of what is happening."
He, however, added that the procurement process needed to be expedited.
An explosion onboard Sindhurakshak on August 14 last year had resulted in the death of 18 Navy personnel. Navy officials said the submarine may not be seaworthy, even after refits.
Speaking further on the tragedy, Jaitley said, "INS issue is in court, we are waiting for court's view and we will present our view to the court."
He also strongly refused to answer queries regarding increasing FDI cap in Defence sector. It would only be made clear during the Budget session of Parliament which is one month away, said Jaitley.
Sources had last month told CNN-IBN that MoS for Commerce & Industries Minister (Independent charge), Nirmala Sitharaman had approved the Cabinet note proposing hike in FDI cap in Defence to 100 per cent.
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