India to get Russian nuclear submarine in March
October 1st, 2010 - 5:59 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) India’s undersea warfare will receive a major boost after Russia transfers its nuclear-powered K-152 Nerpa attack submarine on a 10-year lease in March next year.
The governor of the Far East Khabarovsk region told reporters in Russia Friday that the vessel is ready.
“The boat has been handed over [to the fleet] now. According to the agreement, it will be transferred to India in March next year,” Vyacheslav Shport said, as quoted by the Ria Novosti.
The $900-million lease contract was drawn up after Moscow and New Delhi sealed a deal in January 2004, in which India agreed to fund part of the Nerpa’s construction.
The 12,000-ton K-152 Nerpa, an Akula II class nuclear-powered attack submarine, was originally scheduled to be introduced into the Indian Navy as INS Chakra by mid-2008.
A crew of Indian submariners last year took part in sea trials of the submarine.
The boat, damaged in a fatal accident during tests last November, resumed sea trials last year in the Sea of Japan after extensive repairs.
On Nov 8, 2008, while the Nerpa was undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan, its on-board fire suppression system activated, releasing a deadly gas into the sleeping quarters. Three crewmembers and 17 shipyard workers were killed.
Akula II class vessels are considered the quietest and deadliest of all Russian nuclear-powered attack submarines.
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- Russia to lease only one nuclear sub to India: official - Jun 22, 2009
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- India to get 'gas leak' Russian nuclear submarine in March 2011 - Oct 01, 2010
- Russia to lease n-submarine to India by October - Mar 16, 2011
- Nuke-powered submarine to boost India's underwater warfare capability - Apr 03, 2012
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- Russian n-submarine meant for India passes final trials - Dec 28, 2009
- Sea trials of n-sub for India begin in Russia - Aug 20, 2010
- Russian nuclear sub ready for India transfer - Dec 28, 2011
- India-bound Russian nuke sub repaired, resumes sea trials - Jul 10, 2009
Tags: akula, attack submarine, attack submarines, chakra, class vessels, fire suppression system, indian navy, khabarovsk region, last november, lease contract, nerpa, New Delhi, ria novosti, russian nuclear submarine, sea of japan, sea trials, shipyard workers, submariners, undersea warfare, vyacheslav