ID :
35820
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 12:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/35820
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Russia likely to lease 'Shchuka-B' class nuke subs to India
Vinay Shukla
Moscow, Dec 15 (PTI) Russia could lease 'several' 'Shchuka-B' class nuclear attack submarines to India in coming years, a top official here said though the delivery of the first of the two nuke subs reportedly contracted by India is far behind schedule.
At the same time, the official had ruled out any plans by
Moscow to strike similar deals with China.
"Yes, there is a real possibility of leasing for ten
years several of our nuclear powered multi-role submarines of
Project 971 of 'Shchuka-B' class," the Director of Federal
Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) Mikhail
Dmitriyev was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.
The Russian offer comes as Indian Navy has formulated a
20 year plan to produce indigenously 24 conventional
submarines. New Delhi had also contracted for two nuclear
submarines from Moscow, but navy has projected that in the
next 10 years India would need to acquire or build another
10-12 nuclear subs.
These nuclear submarines would be similar to the 'Nerpa'
class, which was involved in an accident in November during
final sea trials in Sea of Japan.
"This possibility can materialise in the coming years,"
he added.
Dmitriyev also denied that Moscow was negotiating supply
of nuclear submarines to China.
"The question of supply of our multi role nuclear
submarines to China does not exist, as unlike India, China
never asked for them. That's why we never negotiated with
China on their lease or sale," Dmitriyev said.
"This issue was also not raised at the Russian-Chinese
Intergovernmental Commission session on December 11 in
Beijing," he said.
The offer is only for leasing of the submarines to the
Indian navy and not their sale to India, Dmitriyev specified.
According to earlier reports, under a deal as part of the
larger Gorshkov aircraft carrier package, Russia was to lease
two "Shchuka-B" (NATO codename -Akula-II) nuclear attack
submarines to India.
Until the last-month's accident on board 'Nerpa' nuclear
submarine, when 21 crew and technical staff suffocated to
death due to accidental release of toxic Freon gas used in
fire-suppressing system, Moscow was silent on the deal.
Built on advances reportedly paid by the Indian
government, the nuclear submarine is expected to join Indian
Navy as 'INS Chakra' some time next year, sources said.
They claimed that India's advanced technology vessel
(ATV) project to develop an indigenous nuclear submarine was
based on the Russian 'Shchuka-B' design. PTI VS
SAK
Moscow, Dec 15 (PTI) Russia could lease 'several' 'Shchuka-B' class nuclear attack submarines to India in coming years, a top official here said though the delivery of the first of the two nuke subs reportedly contracted by India is far behind schedule.
At the same time, the official had ruled out any plans by
Moscow to strike similar deals with China.
"Yes, there is a real possibility of leasing for ten
years several of our nuclear powered multi-role submarines of
Project 971 of 'Shchuka-B' class," the Director of Federal
Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) Mikhail
Dmitriyev was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.
The Russian offer comes as Indian Navy has formulated a
20 year plan to produce indigenously 24 conventional
submarines. New Delhi had also contracted for two nuclear
submarines from Moscow, but navy has projected that in the
next 10 years India would need to acquire or build another
10-12 nuclear subs.
These nuclear submarines would be similar to the 'Nerpa'
class, which was involved in an accident in November during
final sea trials in Sea of Japan.
"This possibility can materialise in the coming years,"
he added.
Dmitriyev also denied that Moscow was negotiating supply
of nuclear submarines to China.
"The question of supply of our multi role nuclear
submarines to China does not exist, as unlike India, China
never asked for them. That's why we never negotiated with
China on their lease or sale," Dmitriyev said.
"This issue was also not raised at the Russian-Chinese
Intergovernmental Commission session on December 11 in
Beijing," he said.
The offer is only for leasing of the submarines to the
Indian navy and not their sale to India, Dmitriyev specified.
According to earlier reports, under a deal as part of the
larger Gorshkov aircraft carrier package, Russia was to lease
two "Shchuka-B" (NATO codename -Akula-II) nuclear attack
submarines to India.
Until the last-month's accident on board 'Nerpa' nuclear
submarine, when 21 crew and technical staff suffocated to
death due to accidental release of toxic Freon gas used in
fire-suppressing system, Moscow was silent on the deal.
Built on advances reportedly paid by the Indian
government, the nuclear submarine is expected to join Indian
Navy as 'INS Chakra' some time next year, sources said.
They claimed that India's advanced technology vessel
(ATV) project to develop an indigenous nuclear submarine was
based on the Russian 'Shchuka-B' design. PTI VS
SAK
