Nerpa, the Russia-made nuclear-powered submarine joins Indian Navy
After a gap of two decades, India is all set to join the elite club of nations having nuclear-powered submarines with the induction of the Russian-origin 'Nerpa' into the Navy.
Apr 04, 2012 08:52 IST
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India is all set to join the elite club of nations having nuclear-powered submarines with the induction of the Russian-origin 'Nerpa' into the Navy on Wednesday.
Defence Minister A K Antony formally commissioned the Akula II class Nerpa, rechristened INS Chakra, into the Navy at Vishakhapatnam. -
Only five other countries - US, Russia, the UK, France and China - operate nuclear submarines. India is also building its own nuclear submarine, named INS Arihant.
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With INS Chakra and the indigenous INS Arihant expected to start operational patrols soon, India will soon have two nuclear submarines guarding its vast maritime boundaries.
The Nerpa was handed over to the Indian Navy after the completion of trials in December last year. -
The Nerpa has been taken on lease from Russia for 10 years and would provide the Navy the opportunity to train and operate such nuclear-powered vessels. India had signed a deal with Russia in 2004 worth over US $900 million for leasing the submarine.
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It was expected to be inducted about two years earlier, but after an accident in 2008, in which scores of Russian sailors died during trials, the delivery schedule was changed.
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