India's Akula nuclear sub completes first stage of sea trials

Khabarovsk: The first stage of new sea trials of Russia's nuclear attack, Akula-II class submarine, due to be handed over on a 10-year lease to the Indian Navy, has been successfully completed, the Amur shipyard said Monday. New sea trials were necessitated because the submarine was damaged in an accident last year in course of previous sea trials.

As reported earlier, the vessel resumed sea trials on 10 July this year in the Sea of Japan following extensive repairs. (See: Sea trials of Russian nuclear sub for India resume)

"The first set of sea trials has been successfully completed according to schedule," a shipyard official told Russian news agencies.

The sub will now ready itself for a second stage of testing. "The sub is back at the Bolshoy Kamen in the Primorye Territory, and it is getting ready for the second stage of the scheduled testing," the shipyard official said.

According to reports, the shipyard will now install some equipment for performance checking and adjustment work on board the submarine.