Indian Acquisition of Russian Akula

[Adux]

Leased Akulas Advance India’s Blue-Water Plans

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI, NEW DELHI


After years of negotiations, Indian sources here say, India and Russia have agreed on a five-year, $350 million deal to lease two Akula II-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. The Russian subs will make India the sixth nation to operate nuclear subs, and extend New Delhi’s efforts to build a blue-water navy.

India signed the contract here during the Jan. 26 visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the sources said.

The lease has been in the works for years, and Indian officials have in the past proclaimed that a deal had been done. But this time, sources say, the lease is for real.

Russian officials in Moscow declined to comment.

Details of the lease are closely guarded, but sources said that India will pay Russia about $35 million per boat annually.

The first of the Improved Project 971 boats — known in Russia as the Bars class — will be delivered next year to the Visakhapatnam naval base on the Bay of Bengal. It will likely be the Nerpa (K 152), which was laid down in 1986 at Komsomolsk Shipyard in Siberia, launched in 1994, and reportedly completed in 2006 at Vostok, near Vladivostok.
Russia will also ship to India an undisclosed quantity of Club sea-skimming cruise missiles for the Akulas, sources said. The missiles would have a range of 300 kilometers, according to the sources, who could not say which variant they would be. India currently has the Club-N aboard its Talwar-class frigates and the Club-S 3M54E on its Kilo-class subs.

A group of Indian Navy officers and sailors has spent the past two years at Sosnovy Bor, a Russian Navy training base west of St. Petersburg in Russia, to learn how to operate and maintain the subs, the sources said.
Analysts say the lease of the Akulas and purchase of the nuclear-capable Club missile fit into Indian plans to expand its blue-water presence and to deploy nuclear weapons at sea.

“I don’t think that it will ‘tilt’ the power balance in the regional sense regarding Pakistan, since the IN [Indian Navy] is already pre-eminent in the Indian Ocean,” said Indian Navy Cmdr. Gurpreet Singh Khurana, a fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the Defence Ministry’s think tank here. “In fact, its deterrent value will serve to maintain the status quo.”

But Khurana said the quiet, nuclear-powered sub, able to dive to 600 meters and hit submerged speeds of 33 knots, “represents an effective sea-denial and deterrent capability to counter any future Chinese submarine threat in the Indian Ocean.”

The lease is part of New Delhi’s drive to expand its sub force, which now includes 16 conventional boats, mostly of Russian design.

Acquisition of the nuclear submarines is likely to further complicate maintenance and logistics for India’s already diverse diesel-electric submarine force, which now includes four German-designed Type 1500 boats, 10 modern Russian-built Kilo subs and two older Russian-built Foxtrot boats.

In 2005, India signed a $3.9 billion deal with France to license-build six Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines at Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks.

Later this year, India plans to begin seeking six more advanced conventional subs through a global request for proposals. Analysts say the early frontrunner is the 1650 variant of Russia’s Amur-class submarine, an advanced version of the popular Kilo class.
2nd Nuke-Sub Lease

The Akula deal is the second time in as many decades that India has leased a nuclear submarine from Russia. Between 1988 and 1991, India leased the K-43, a Charlie-class nuclear cruise missile sub known in Russia as the Project 670A Skat-class.

Named the INS Chakra, the Charlie-class submarine gave the Indian Navy experience in operating nuclear-powered ships, key to development of India’s indigenous Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) nuclear submarine program.

“The Charlie lease some 20 years ago was intended to give the Indian Navy a taste of operating nuclear boats and to get a better understanding both for design of an indigenous sub, but also the unique logistics burdens of operating nuclear ships,” said Zachariah Mathews, a retired Indian Navy commodore and consultant with Dua Consulting, based here. “What was learned from the Charlie, that is being applied to the Akulas.”

One big difference: While Russian sailors operated the Chakra’s reactor, the Akulas will likely be run by Indians, said Rahul Bhonsle, retired Indian Army brigadier and defense analyst.

India launched the Akula lease talks after the ATV program, which started some two decades ago, dragged on. The dialogue between Moscow and New Delhi has moved forward slowly over the past several years.
Navy officials hope the Akulas will hasten the service’s switch to a nuclear submarine force built around the ATV.

The leased subs will refresh and expand India’s expertise in nuclear submarine operations, tactics and maintenance, said Khurana of the ministry’s think tank.

One naval analyst said two ATV hulls have been ordered from Larsen & Toubro, India’s leading private-sector engineering firm, but could not say when or for how much money. The ATV is now slated for completion in 2011.

New Nuclear Weapons

Operationally, the Akulas will serve as an interim sea-based leg of India’s nuclear triad, introducing a nuclear-armed naval vessel to the region, Khurana and others said.

“A nuclear triad has been contemplated in India for quite some time, and plans to acquire Akula-class submarines fit into the proposed triad scheme,” said Deba Mohanty, defense analyst with the Observer Research Foundation, based here. “Such a desire on the part of India has been debated since the late 1990s, and it has taken a few years for India to eventually sign a deal on the same.”

The Akulas would also improve India’s long-range maritime capabilities, allowing the Navy to keep watch on strategic interests from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca that are shaped by the geopolitics of energy security in the greater Indian Ocean region, and China’s emphasis on naval modernization plans.

India is striving to maintain a maritime balance as Beijing extends its reach by funding the construction of a naval base in Pakistan, Mohanty said.

But Bhonsle said it would take a few years before India could actually deploy a nuclear weapon aboard the Akulas.

“The arrival of a nuclear submarine will only change the power balance as and when India successfully weaponizes the same,” Bhonsle said. “The indications as of now are that this process may take a much longer time than envisaged, another three to five years for certain.”

The lease deal forbids India from using the Akulas in exercises with British, U.S. or other Western navies, sources said. •

Nabi Abdullaev in Moscow and Christopher P. Cavas in Washington contributed to this report.

 

[Adux]

[YOUTUBE]

 

[HAIDER]

Dated 9/11/2007
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Ahead of Prime Ministers upcoming visit to Moscow from November 10th, India and Russia are widely expected to sign on the Indian Navy Akula Submarine Lease Deal.

Indian Navy is all set to acquire the nuclear powered advanced submarines for a period of up to seven years. This acquisition would help the Navy prepare for the induction of the ATV, India's indigenous nuclear-powered vessel-in-the-making which goes for sea trials in 2009. Strategic submarines are the key to India's quest for a credible nuclear deterrence.

For Russia, raising the stakes, it hopes, will increase Indian dependence as Moscow seeks to defend its position as No. 1 defense supplier to New Delhi, however Russia's importance as a defense partner to New Delhi declines following India's vastly improving internal defense capabilities compounded with close relations and improving with Israel, France and the United States.

Project 971 Щука-Б (Shchuka-B, 'Shchuka' meaning pike, NATO reporting name "Akula"), is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. The class is sometimes erroneously called the "Bars" class, after one of its members. Note that Akula ("shark") is the Soviet designation of the ballistic missile submarine class designated by NATO as the Typhoon class submarine. They are sometimes bitterly called "the Walker class," referring to John Anthony Walker, whose espionage data related to sonar detection was used to improve this submarine.

There are three sub-classes or flights of Shchuka, consisting of the original seven "Akula I" submarines built between 1982 and 1986, five "Improved Akula" submarines built between 1986 and 1991, and four "Akula II" submarines built from 1991. This information is disputed, however, as the distinction between the Improved Akula and the Akula II class is debated by authoritative sources.

Akula incorporates a double hull system that increases the strength reserve and is able to dive deeper than any other modern SSN. It is the quietest Russian nuclear attack submarine; the noise radiated by the Akula-II class is comparable to that of early versions of the American Los Angeles class

India Russia To Sign Akula Submarine Deal; To Be Leased For Seven Years | India Defence

 

[hoodhood1]

Now that India is acquiring all these weapons/ armaments from all corners of the world, why dosen't Pakistan yell and scream like India does when we start thinking to buy any weapons.

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Indeed, they should yell and shout that India is getting weapons from all over and every corner of the earth!

Might put the brakes!

The only problem I see is that India is buying and not being gifted and hence money speaks!

 

[amunhotep]

The only problem I see is that India is buying and not being gifted and hence money speaks!

u stole my words man

 

[amunhotep]

Now that India is acquiring all these weapons/ armaments from all corners of the world, why dosen't Pakistan yell and scream like India does when we start thinking to buy any weapons.

er... when was the lst time the indian government yelled???

 

[Neo]

Now that India is acquiring all these weapons/ armaments from all corners of the world, why dosen't Pakistan yell and scream like India does when we start thinking to buy any weapons.

One step at a time mate, nuclear subs are on our shopping list but other stuff is given higher priority. PN needs to go blue water and atleast expand atleast threefold before a nuclear sub comes into picture.

 

[Neo]

Indeed, they should yell and shout that India is getting weapons from all over and every corner of the earth!

Might put the brakes!

No it won't! We learnt that lesson from India...yelling doesn't stop a determined nation to get what she wants...its just waste of time and often ends up with losing face and embarassement

The only problem I see is that India is buying and not being gifted and hence money speaks!

Would it make any difference if you were being 'gifted'?

World is turning 'blind eyes' to India anyway since China is moving towards a super power. Your geo-political situation and size matters much more than your wealth.

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

No it won't! We learnt that lesson from India...yelling doesn't stop a determined nation to get what she wants...its just waste of time and often ends up with losing face and embarassement

It does help at times.

There are greater issues that cause real serious embarrassment than an arms deal blockage failure. At least that is what I feel.

Would it make any difference if you were being 'gifted'?

World is turning 'blind eyes' to India anyway since China is moving towards a super power. Your geo-political situation and size matters much more than your wealth.

By being gifted some arms it save good money (though arms are OK for national security, they are non productive acquisitions) for other social requirements. Though I will admit that a gift comes with strings attached and that is not a comfortable thing to live with.

Geopolitical situation does help, but then it also attracts too much of attention of rival camps and in the end, you suffer. It is a matter of balancing the same with national interests.

 

[su-47]

Dated 9/11/2007
Printer Friendly Subscribe

Ahead of Prime Ministers upcoming visit to Moscow from November 10th, India and Russia are widely expected to sign on the Indian Navy Akula Submarine Lease Deal.

Indian Navy is all set to acquire the nuclear powered advanced submarines for a period of up to seven years. This acquisition would help the Navy prepare for the induction of the ATV, India's indigenous nuclear-powered vessel-in-the-making which goes for sea trials in 2009. Strategic submarines are the key to India's quest for a credible nuclear deterrence.

For Russia, raising the stakes, it hopes, will increase Indian dependence as Moscow seeks to defend its position as No. 1 defense supplier to New Delhi, however Russia's importance as a defense partner to New Delhi declines following India's vastly improving internal defense capabilities compounded with close relations and improving with Israel, France and the United States.

Project 971 Щука-Б (Shchuka-B, 'Shchuka' meaning pike, NATO reporting name "Akula"), is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. The class is sometimes erroneously called the "Bars" class, after one of its members. Note that Akula ("shark") is the Soviet designation of the ballistic missile submarine class designated by NATO as the Typhoon class submarine. They are sometimes bitterly called "the Walker class," referring to John Anthony Walker, whose espionage data related to sonar detection was used to improve this submarine.

There are three sub-classes or flights of Shchuka, consisting of the original seven "Akula I" submarines built between 1982 and 1986, five "Improved Akula" submarines built between 1986 and 1991, and four "Akula II" submarines built from 1991. This information is disputed, however, as the distinction between the Improved Akula and the Akula II class is debated by authoritative sources.

Akula incorporates a double hull system that increases the strength reserve and is able to dive deeper than any other modern SSN. It is the quietest Russian nuclear attack submarine; the noise radiated by the Akula-II class is comparable to that of early versions of the American Los Angeles class

India Russia To Sign Akula Submarine Deal; To Be Leased For Seven Years | India Defence

There are small mistakes in this report. Firstly, India has the option to buy these subs after leasing them. That fact is not mentioned in the report.

Secondly, the noise radiated by the Akula-II class is comparable to that of last versions of the American Improved Los Angeles class., not early versions as mentioned in the report.

 

[nitesh]

Although I would love to have this news where I already posted, but on other member's wish I am opening a new thread.

India to get Russian nuclear submarine after 17 yr wait - ExpressIndia.Com
India to get Russian nuclear submarine after 17 yr wait

Posted online: Thursday , July 03, 2008 at 01:38:24
Updated: Thursday , July 03, 2008 at 01:38:24

Moscow, July 3: India will get its first Akula class Russian nuclear submarine in 2009, equipping its navy with the quietest and lethal underwater war machine after a gap of 17 years to enhance its blue water capabilities.
Factory trials of the multi-role nuclear submarine, christened INS Chakra which India-will get on a 10-year-lease, commenced on June 11 at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur shipyard and will be followed by sea trials, Russian defence sources said, adding it will be delivered by September 2009.

According to experts, Chakra would help India fill the void caused by the delays in the indigenous Advanced Technology Vessel project to build a nuclear powered, guided missile attack submarine.

Three Indian naval crews for the nuclear submarine have already been trained at the specially set up training centre in Sosnovy Bor near St. Petersburg.

This facility would also be used for training crews for the Indian nuclear submarines of ATV project currently in the advanced stages of development, sources said.

Though they said that India has financed the completion of construction of submarine of project 971 "Shchuka B"(NATO codename Akula) under the USD 650 million deal signed in 2004 as part of the larger Gorshkov package, they did not reveal the cost of the lease of Chakra.

Akula (Shark) is the quietest Russian attack submarine and Chakra has been christened after its predecessor leased by the Indian Navy in 1988 from the erstwhile USSR.

In January 1988, ex-USSR had leased K-43 nuclear submarine of project 670 (NATO codename Charlie) which was with the Indian Navy as INS Chakra till March 1991, when under the intense US pressure beleaguered Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev had refused to extend the lease.


Quite a good news. As per the news this is the first one hope we get the second one soon.

 

[vish]

The Navy's plan to tie up national security with nuclear submarines, as suggested by Jlliu, is working well.

 

[nitesh]

The Navy's plan to tie up national security with nuclear submarines, as suggested by Jlliu, is working well.

This is one of the most potent submarines, it will really increase Indian Navy's firepower.

 

[Keysersoze]

There are many a slip twixt cup and a lip....With the current state of Russo Indian relations in regards to Defence procurement I would not count on anything till it is sailing two months In Indian Colours.