The submarine has a displacement of nearly 3,100 tons when submerged, a maximum diving depth of 300 metres (980 ft), speed of up to 17 knots (31 km/h), and is able to operate solo for 45 days with a crew of 52.

Naval officials said the submarine was submerged and had its radars off and periscope down when it slammed into the merchant vessel off India's Diu Island, 400 nautical miles (740 km) from Mumbai.

It has also been reported that the indigenously developed USHUS sonar malfunctioned and played a direct role in the accident.

Other naval officials expressed surprise that how in the high seas, the submarine was cruising at only at a depth of 10 to 20 feet (6.1 m).

[5] On 17 January 2014, INS Sindhughosh ran aground due to the low tide, while returning to Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.