Indian Navy to Lease out Russian Nuclear Sub

Welcome back to India Defence Online...If you haven't done so yet, subscribe to the RSS feed as it will save you a lot of time. Thanks for following the site!

During the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s visit to India last fortnight, a crucial agreement on the leasing of the K-152 Nerpa submarine was finalised. Apparently, the leasing of the nuclear submarine is the outcome of a discreet agreement that was signed in 2004 between the two countries, and India pooled in $650 million for the submarine’s construction in Russia. India will now take the nuclear submarine on a 10-year lease from Russia.

However, the K-152 Nerpa submarine will not suffice to build the nuclear triad for India and its capability to launch nuclear missiles from land, air and sea. Although the K-152 Nerpa is nuclear-propelled, it will not be armed with its long-range nuclear-tipped missiles due to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

The induction of the Nerpa nuclear submarine in the Indian Navy was to be achieved by 2008 but technical shortcomings, as well as an unfortunate mishap due to a toxic gas leak, pushed its induction further away. Currently, the 12,000 tonne K-152 Nerpa submarine is operational and ready to be inducted.

A high level Indian naval delegation has inspected the Akula-II nuclear powered attack submarine Nerpa. Sources said that an Indian naval team will leave for Russia soon to undergo intensive training on the submarine.

The advantages of leasing the Nerpa nuclear submarine are manifold. While the Indian Navy will get hands-on training to operate the nuclear submarines, the Nerpa will be used to provide protection to INS Arihant, which will be the launch platform for nukes after it becomes operational. The Nerpa will be armed with torpedoes and 300-km Klub-S cruise missiles.

Nerpa is an Akula II class vessel which are considered the quietest and deadliest of all Russian nuclear-powered attack submarines. The Nerpa nuclear submarine will also help India achieve its objective to have three SSBNs (nuclear-powered submarines with long-range missiles) and six SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines) in the long run.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.