India is reported to have leased a Nerpa (Akula II) nuclear submarine from Russia under a contract signed in 2004 by Russia's then-Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov during his visit to India. The price of a 10-year lease was fixed at $650 million.
November 09, 2008, (Sawf News) - India is reported to have leased a Nerpa (Akula II) nuclear submarine from Russia under a contract signed in 2004 by Russia's then-Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov during his visit to India. The price of a 10-year lease was fixed at $650 million.
The submarine is earmarked to be commissioned as INS Chakra.
A special training centre was built at Sosnovy Bor, near St. Petersburg, and has since produced three Indian relief crews. The centre also looks to a busy future: it will train crews for Indian-built SSNs.
Nerpa Capabilities
Nerpa is the Project 971 third-generation submarine (NATO code name Akula-II), the most advanced Russian nuclear attack submarine.
Construction of the Akula II class Nerpa nuclear attack submarine started in 1991 but was suspended for over a decade due to lack of funding.
Akula II class vessels are considered the quietest and deadliest of Russian nuclear-powered attack submarines. They feature a double-hulled configuration with a distinctive high aft fin. They also pack a formidable punch.
Their armaments consist of four 650mm torpedo tubes, with 12 torpedoes, and four 533mm tubes, with 28 torpedoes. Torpedoes can be replaced with submarine mines, cruise missiles, rocket-assisted torpedoes, and a variety of other submersibles.
The Akula II in service with the Russians is equipped with 28 nuclear-capable cruise missiles with a striking range of 3,000 km. The Indian version is expected to be armed with the 300-km Club nuclear-capable missiles.
It is not known if India will receive Shkval rocket-assisted torpedoes.
The Akula II is able to dive deeper than any other modern SSN.
In response to media queries if Russia would lease a nuclear submarine to India, Novosti quoted Russian defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov as saying: "The press discusses lots of things. We do not export nuclear submarines."
Current Project Status
The Nerpa had started sea trials on October 27, 2008.
On November 8, the submarine was involved in a serious accident while undergoing sea trials with the Russian Pacific Fleet, in which 20 people were killed and another 21 injured, aide to the Russian Navy commander said on Sunday, November 9, 2008.
"More than 20 people were killed during sea trials as a result of the accidental launch of the fire-extinguishing system on a nuclear submarine of the Pacific Fleet on November 8," Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said. "Shipyard workers and service personnel are among the victims."
Dygalo said 208 people, including 81 service personnel had been onboard the submarine at the time of the incident. He stressed that the reactor of the submarine had not been affected.
INS Chakra was scheduled to be commissioned on August 15 next year a date that may have to be put back following the accident.
India leased a `Charlie-I' class Russian nuclear submarine from 1988 to 1991 and operated it as INS Chakra.
The Navy is expected to use the Nerpa to renew its experience with operating nuclear powered submarines, in time for the induction of the indigenous nuclear submarines being built under the ATV program at Visakhapatnam.
The first of the three indigenous nuclear submarines being constructed is slated to begin sea-trials by early-2009.
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