India to get delivery of first nuclear submarine by year end

Vinay Shukla

Khabarovsk (Russia), May 13 (PTI) India is all set to
get its first new generation Akula-II class nuclear attack
submarine by the year end, which would bolster the Navy's
undersea capability manifold.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ordered the
delivery of the submarine to the Indian Navy and has
sanctioned USD 300 million for successful completion of the
project.

Russia was to deliver the Akula-II class submarine to
the Indian Navy on a 10-year lease in June. But the project
suffered delay as in the course of sea trials the submarine,
earmarked for India, met with an accident on November eight
last year killing 20 sailors and injuring 17 others.

But the shipyard has repaired the damage caused by the
mishap during sea trials.

"The repairs are complete and the vessel is
technically ready for the resumption of sea trials," an
official of the Amur Shipyard was quoted as saying by
Interfax.

Putin visited the shipyard on Monday and Presidential
Envoy Viktor Ishayev latyer told PTI that during the visit
"Putin had discussed in detail the Indian submarine project
and ordered new trials be completed speedy and the vessel
delivered to Indian Navy by the end of this year."

The envoy said Putin has decided to re-instate state
control on the strategic shipyard situated in
Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Khabarovsk region bordering China.

"The Prime Minister will sign the orders within a week
to release 1.1 billion roubles (USD 300 million) to foot the
bill for the repair of the submarine and complete pre-delivery
trials," Ishayev disclosed.

The delivery of the submarine is vital to the Indian
Navy, which does not have a nuclear undersea vessel for over
25 years.

India earlier had leased a Russian nuclear submarine
in the late 80s. New Delhi's own indigenous nuclear submarine
is progressing well. The submarine is to be ready for sea
trials by August this year.

But officials said it may take some more time.
The lease agreement for Akula-II class submarine has
not been made public. But reports say that the submarine may
come as a part of package along with aircraft carrier
Gorshkov.

It is also not clear whether India has bid for lease
of two submarines or a single one. Indian Navy is in dire need
of a nuclear submarine which has an enhanced range and longer
submerged capabilities as China has already produced fourth
generation nuclear submarines. PTI