Engineering giant Larsen and Toubro is set to get a major share in a Rs 5,000-crore deal to upgrade and refit Russian-origin Kilo class submarines. The company, which is already a leading partner for the nuclear submarine project of the Indian Navy, has been chosen as the Indian partner for the Kilo class refit — a program to increase the life of the submarine by 10 years involving complex engineering.

While the first of the four Kilo class subs will go to the Russian Zvezdochka shipyard for inspection and refit, the remaining three are likely to be modernised at the Kattupalli yard. The first of the submarines to be modernised at private yard — a first for India — will go in by 2017. An order for 2-3 more submarines could also be commissioned, depending on ongoing acquisition plans of the Navy.

The Indian Navy is looking to squeeze some more life out of its two decade-old Kilo class submarines, with a contract being signed in October with Russia to extend the service life of the boats to 35 years. The extensive refit will not only extend the life of the subs but will also upgrade their combat potential. The first submarine to be sent is the INS Sindhukesari that will be fitted with Klub land attack cruise missile. The Sindhukesari, which got its first refit in 1999-2001, will also be fitted with several Indian systems.