Indian Acquisition of Russian Akula

[Imran Khan]

India’s N-plans face delay after Russian sub’s accident

* Russia takes submarine off sea trials being monitored by Indian Navy officials

NEW DELHI: India’s plans to acquire a sea-based nuclear weapon system to complete its nuclear triad may suffer a delay with an Akula-class Russian submarine meeting an accident off Japan’s shore on Sunday.

The Indian Navy plans to lease semi-finished Akula submarines, built with Indian funding, from Russia. The accident has forced Russia to take the vessel off sea trials, which were being monitored by Indian Navy officials. The submarine will be the first nuclear-powered vessel to be inducted in the Indian Navy in a decade. India had used another Russian vessel in the early 1990s. “Indian Navy officials are already there to keep a close watch on the developments,” Navy officials here told reporters. They said that since the submarine had been taken off the trials and moved to an unnamed shipyard for repairs, it could delay India’s plan to acquire it. India has asked Russia to ensure proper safety measures regarding the vessel before it is again sent for sea trials. India is insisting on the measures because it does not possess an underwater rescue vessel and is dependent on foreign navies for the purpose. The 12,000-tonne Akula-class submarine is touted to be Russia’s most-advanced, quickest and quietest vessel. India is also developing its own nuclear submarine called the Advanced Technology Vehicle. iftikhar gilani

 

[ejaz007]

Russia opens case against sailor for sub accident

MOSCOW: Russian prosecutors said on Thursday they had opened a criminal case against a sailor suspected of triggering an accident on a Russian nuclear submarine that killed 20 people at the weekend.

Prosecutors said the accident, which occurred during sea trials of the Nerpa nuclear submarine on Saturday in the Sea of Japan, was caused when the fire extinguishing system was turned on, releasing freon gas that asphyxiated the victims. “The suspect is one of the sailors in the crew who, without any reason whatsoever turned on the submarine’s fire extinguishing system, as a result of which 20 people were killed and 21 hospitalised,” the Prosecutor-General’s main investigation committee said in a statement. “A criminal case in relation to the suspect has been opened under a clause in the Russian Federation’s Criminal Code ... causing death by carelessness of two or more people.”

The suspect has confessed, the committee said. It did not say if it would be investigating why the activation of the fire extinguishing system proved fatal for so many people. Submarine crews are supposed to have breathing apparatus with them at all times to protect them from the gas. Freon is used as a fire suppressant. The submarine accident, the worst since 118 sailors died in 2000 when the Kursk nuclear submarine sunk in the Barents Sea, exposed the gap between the Kremlin’s ambitions and its military capabilities. reuters

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[su-47]

Russia opens case against sailor for sub accident

MOSCOW: Russian prosecutors said on Thursday they had opened a criminal case against a sailor suspected of triggering an accident on a Russian nuclear submarine that killed 20 people at the weekend.

Prosecutors said the accident, which occurred during sea trials of the Nerpa nuclear submarine on Saturday in the Sea of Japan, was caused when the fire extinguishing system was turned on, releasing freon gas that asphyxiated the victims. “The suspect is one of the sailors in the crew who, without any reason whatsoever turned on the submarine’s fire extinguishing system, as a result of which 20 people were killed and 21 hospitalised,” the Prosecutor-General’s main investigation committee said in a statement. “A criminal case in relation to the suspect has been opened under a clause in the Russian Federation’s Criminal Code ... causing death by carelessness of two or more people.”

The suspect has confessed, the committee said. It did not say if it would be investigating why the activation of the fire extinguishing system proved fatal for so many people. Submarine crews are supposed to have breathing apparatus with them at all times to protect them from the gas. Freon is used as a fire suppressant. The submarine accident, the worst since 118 sailors died in 2000 when the Kursk nuclear submarine sunk in the Barents Sea, exposed the gap between the Kremlin’s ambitions and its military capabilities. reuters

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

Well, it is a tragic incident, but this news is actuakky good for india. it shows that there's nothing wrong with the sub itself, rather it was a human error. I don't think there'll be any major delays now that the matter has been solved.

 

[Vinod2070]

Lets hope there is no cover up and good old method of finding scapegoat going on here.

A TOI article today hinted at the possibility.

 

[nitesh]

New twist

RIA Novosti - Russia - Nerpa nuclear submarine to join Russian Navy - top brass

VLADIVOSTOK, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Navy will commission the Nerpa nuclear submarine, on which 20 people recently died, rather than sell or lease it to India, the chief of the General Staff told a Russian daily on Tuesday.

On November 8, while the submarine was undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan, a crew member is believed to have entered the wrong data into the temperature sensor, which caused the fire safety system to release Freon gas into the living quarters.

"The sum of $650-780 million, which Rosoboronexport and the Amur Shipbuilding Plant had negotiated over a long period of time with the Indian Ministry of Defense, will now be found in Russia, either within the state weapons procurement program or somewhere else," the Rossiiskaya Gazeta quoted General of the Army Nikolai Makarov as saying.

The construction of the Akula II class Nerpa nuclear attack submarine started in 1991, but was suspended for over a decade due to a lack of funding.

Indian media have reported on various occasions that the construction of the submarine was partially financed by the Indian government. India has reportedly paid $650 million for a 10-year lease of the 12,000-ton submarine.

The submarine's reactor was not affected by the accident, which took place in the nose of the submarine, and radiation levels on board remained normal.

The Navy earlier said the sea trials of the submarine would continue after the investigation into the recent tragedy and certain technical adjustments in the fire safety system.

Nerpa will reportedly join other seven Akula class submarines in Russia's Pacific Fleet.

Akula II class vessels are considered the quietest and deadliest of all Russian nuclear-powered attack submarines.

 

[su-47]

New twist

RIA Novosti - Russia - Nerpa nuclear submarine to join Russian Navy - top brass

VLADIVOSTOK, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Navy will commission the Nerpa nuclear submarine, on which 20 people recently died, rather than sell or lease it to India, the chief of the General Staff told a Russian daily on Tuesday.

On November 8, while the submarine was undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan, a crew member is believed to have entered the wrong data into the temperature sensor, which caused the fire safety system to release Freon gas into the living quarters.

"The sum of $650-780 million, which Rosoboronexport and the Amur Shipbuilding Plant had negotiated over a long period of time with the Indian Ministry of Defense, will now be found in Russia, either within the state weapons procurement program or somewhere else," the Rossiiskaya Gazeta quoted General of the Army Nikolai Makarov as saying.

The construction of the Akula II class Nerpa nuclear attack submarine started in 1991, but was suspended for over a decade due to a lack of funding.

Indian media have reported on various occasions that the construction of the submarine was partially financed by the Indian government. India has reportedly paid $650 million for a 10-year lease of the 12,000-ton submarine.

The submarine's reactor was not affected by the accident, which took place in the nose of the submarine, and radiation levels on board remained normal.

The Navy earlier said the sea trials of the submarine would continue after the investigation into the recent tragedy and certain technical adjustments in the fire safety system.

Nerpa will reportedly join other seven Akula class submarines in Russia's Pacific Fleet.

Akula II class vessels are considered the quietest and deadliest of all Russian nuclear-powered attack submarines.

then what the hell are we gonna get? didnt we pay for that sub? or is there another sub they'll give us on time?

 

[nitesh]

then what the hell are we gonna get? didnt we pay for that sub? or is there another sub they'll give us on time?

This deal was always a package deal. the carrier (Admiral Gorshakov), fighter squadrons (MiG 29K), And the Akula II. There is a big screw up happened with gorshakov rework needs to be done. So now a very sophisticated game getting played that if no gorshakov then no nerpa . Expect some hectic negotiations.

 

[su-47]

This deal was always a package deal. the carrier (Admiral Gorshakov), fighter squadrons (MiG 29K), And the Akula II. There is a big screw up happened with gorshakov rework needs to be done. So now a very sophisticated game getting played that if no gorshakov then no nerpa . Expect some hectic negotiations.

well if the Russians keep screwing us over like this, we'll definitely need to rethink defence acquisition policies. I hope we dont give MRCA to Russia. We might end up with another 'revaluation of contract' after it is awarded.

Thank God we have more options nowadays.

 

[Nihat]

Yup , even if we fail to get Gorky - I think it would do good in the sense that it'll shake up the entire lazy establishment and break a few Corruption nexus.

Although it will hurt in the Short term but at least we will smell the coffee , concentrate more on Indegenious capability and invest in our own economy . Which is why I'm extremely keen on LCA replacing Mig series , Arjun or any other MBT replacing instead of T-90 , we've got to stop reducing dependencies.

 

[nitesh]

See I dopnt see india Russia relationship having any problem with respect to this particular deal. This relation ship goes very deep. The blue prints of the carrier were in Ukraine and hence the mess up started with wrong calculation. Now Russia filled up with large amount of dollars (before the oil prices coming down) is having large plan to modernize its navy. So what better options they have then taking the gorshakov and the akula in there inventory? Or may be mother of all cover up to sell some other system in guise of increased price. Who knows whats going on inside. Just wait for Mr. Madadevs visit.

And indeed if the gorshakov didnt turn up then it will a temporary set back not a huge one as IAC will hit the sea by 2014-2015. Till then virat will carry on the responsibility. And ATV are on the way (26th january next year).

 

[Nihat]

I also don't see the relationship with Russia rapidly declining , it would also be a setback to them losing their major defense buyer.

But overall , the dependency has to be reduced and we should start building our own economy by Investing more in it. If we keep depending on Russians then they will think of us in a more casual manner

 

[ejaz007]

Russian Sailor Charged Over Deadly Sub Accident
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 24 Nov 12:36 EST (17:36 GMT)

MOSCOW - A Russian sailor has been formally charged with causing death by negligence after the accident in which 20 people were gassed to death on a nuclear submarine, officials said Nov. 24.

"The charges were pronounced in terms of article 109" of Russia's penal code, said the chief of the prosecutors' investigating commission Alexander Bastrykin. It provides for up to five years in prison for an individual found guilty of causing death by negligence.

"This is not the only version. We are investigating all the hypotheses. We will consider this very carefully. Everything will be completely objective," he added, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.

In the accident earlier this month, 20 people died when the Nerpa's fire-extinguishing system was triggered as the submarine was being tested in the Sea of Japan. It pumped Freon gas into the vessel, depriving the victims of oxygen.

The incident was Russia's worst naval disaster since the sinking of the Kursk submarine in the Barents Sea in 2000, in which all 118 sailors on board died.


Russian Sailor Charged Over Deadly Sub Accident - Defense News

 

[ejaz007]

Russia To Lease Sub to India Despite Fatal Accident
By vivek raghuvanshi
Published: 28 Nov 11:40 EST (16:40 GMT)

NEW DELHI - Moscow has told New Delhi that it remains committed to leasing a nuclear submarine to the Indian Navy despite the Nov. 8 accident that killed 20 crew members aboard a Russian nuclear sub, say Indian Defence Ministry sources.

The Akula-2 nuclear-powered attack submarine, the Nerpa, which is being built by Russia for the Indian Navy, was on sea trials off the Sea of Japan Nov. 8 when 20 personnel were killed in an accident reportedly involving activation of the submarine's fire-fighting system.

However, the sea trials of the submarine have been temporarily halted, said sources. The Indian Defence Ministry has already asked the Russian yard building the submarine to extend the trials.

The Indian Navy is acquiring the Nerpa in the run-up to its own secretive, classified nuclear submarine Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV) under construction. The crew trained on the leased Nerpa would eventually take over the indigenous ATV, expected to be inducted by 2010-11.

The nuclear submarines will give India the third leg of its nuclear triad by acquiring submarine-launched nuclear capable missiles.

Russia To Lease Sub to India Despite Fatal Accident - Defense News

 

[nitesh]

MOSCOW, December 4 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday that a recent accident on board a Russian nuclear submarine was caused by human error and would not affect military-technical cooperation with India.

India has reportedly paid $650 million for a 10-year lease of the 12,000-ton Nerpa nuclear attack submarine. Indian media have reported that the construction of the vessel was partially financed by the country's government.

The accident occurred late on November 8 while the Nerpa submarine was undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan. Three sailors and 17 shipyard workers died in the accident. There were 208 people, 81 of them sailors, on board the vessel at the time.

"There is no negative impact on our relations, because unfortunately, this tragic accident, which is now under investigation, according to the information that we have at present, was a result of the so-called human factor and it does not characterize the current state of this project or of this nuclear submarine," Medvedev told reporters on the eve of his visit to India.

Russian investigators earlier said a crew member on the Nerpa had been charged with "criminally negligent homicide" for allegedly mishandling a temperature sensor on board the submarine that caused the tragedy by releasing deadly Freon gas.

Medvedev also reaffirmed Russia's readiness to expand military-technical cooperation with India in all spheres.

India is one of the main buyers of Russian weaponry, with contracts including the delivery of Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier with at least 16 MiG-29K Fulcrum-D carrier fighters, the Smerch MLRS, and licensed production of T-90 tanks in India.

Russia signed in March a contract with the Indian Defense Ministry to upgrade around 70 MiG-29 fighters, in service since the 1980s, and agreed to develop a fifth-generation fighter together with India.

Russia and India jointly developed the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, whose sea-based and land-based versions have been successfully tested and put into service with the Indian army and navy.

Medvedev said on Thursday that Russia and India could export BrahMos missiles to third countries while strictly observing international agreements on arms exports and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons

RIA Novosti - Russia - Nerpa accident will not harm cooperation with India - Medvedev

 

[nitesh]

Submarine “Nerpa” Becomes Indian

05.12.2008

VLADIVOSTOK. 5 December. VOSTOK-MEDIA. Russia implied to give the sub “Nerpa” to leasing by the Indian Marine Forces despite the tragedy that took 20 lives on November, 8.
Indian Ministry of Defence requested Amurskiy Shipbuilding Factory about prolongation of the submarine tests. The submarine “Nerpa” was supposed to train Indian sailors that will work on Indian atomic submarines projected and constructed in India. Crews are expected to change for Indian atomic submarines in 2010-2011, but by that time officers and sailors will have to accomplish training on the sub “Nerpa”.
Though, Russian officials including Head of General Headquarters of the RF have been refusing and are now refusing to lend the sub for leasing by the Indian Marine Forces.

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