It may seem somewhat strange for India to lease a Russian nuclear submarine, and at a heavy cost, when an earlier similar venture didn’t turn out to be smooth and when it is itself building nuclear submarines. The 10-year lease is costing India a billion dollars. In real terms the cost will be much more. Is it India’s need? India, no doubt, gains by inducting it in its navy. But this time, it is equally, may be more, the need of the supplier. And it also meets the strategic interests of another backer.The leased submarine, the 8,140-tonne SSN Nerpa, was commissioned in the Russian Navy in December 2000 and belongs to the Soviet-era nuclear-powered submarines of (Nato-named) Akula II Class. The Akula Class submarine was deployed for the first time in 1986 by the Soviet Navy. The project to lease two Akula-II nuclear submarines was initiated by India in 2002. The deal for the first submarine was signed in New Delhi in January 2004 and for the second in December 2007.
The Nerpa was to be delivered to India in August 2007. However, the programme was struck with several delays and at least one mishap. A fatal gas leak killing 20 crew members occurred during the submarine’s sea trials in November 2008. Transfer was then set to take place in 2009 but didn’t materialise. A fresh date in October 2010 was also not met. Read More
