Akula-II class sub for India commences second stage of sea trials

Vladivostok: The Russian 'Nerpa' Schucka-B (NATO: Akula-II) nuclear attack submarine, due for lease to the Indian Navy, has commenced the second stage of sea trials, Amur shipyard sources said. Earlier, the attack submarine had completed the first stage of sea trials on 26 July, which lasted for fifteen days.

After a fatal accident last year on 8 November, which necessitated extensive repairs on the submarine, it resumed sea trials on 10 July in the Sea of Japan. The first stage of new sea trials was successfully completed on Monday.

"The submarine left dock at the Vostok repair facility in the town of Bolshoy Kamen in the Primorye Territory and headed for the Sea of Japan," shipyard officials said.

This time the submarine is carrying special equipment to check the vessel's performance. The new trials are expected to continue for at least two weeks.

India has reportedly paid $650 million for a 10-year lease of the 12,000-ton K-152 Nerpa, an Akula II class nuclear-powered attack submarine. The submarine is expected to be commissioned into the Russian Navy this fall and subsequently handed over to the Indian Navy by the end of the year.