Russia will lease only one nuclear submarine to India

[lilaspr]

A senior Russian official said his government was leasing only one Akula class nuclear attack submarine to India.

"We will lease only one submarine. In my opinion, India needs the sub more for enhancing its prestige rather than for accomplishing specific goals," deputy head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

He denied a report by Interfax Military Newswire, which quoted defence officials as saying that the Indian Navy would get two submarines on lease.

Dzirkaln underscored that the contract envisioned only the transfer of the Nerpa submarine, which is to resume trials next month for delivery to the Indian Navy by the end of this year.

India reportedly paid USD 650 million for a 10-year lease of the 12,000-ton K-152 Nerpa, a Shchuka-B class (NATO codename Akula II) nuclear-powered attack submarine and the completion of the Soviet-era vessel was partly financed by New Delhi.

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

 

[garibnawaz]

Russian Nuke subs were meant as stopgap before induction of ATV.

They were supposed to come in 2007-08.

The objective was to train IN personnel in nuke sub environment.

Since the ruskie lease is delayed and ATV is near to sea trials I guess 1 sub is enough.