Indian Navy’s INS Chakra nuclear attack sub to arrive in 2010

India will likely receive the 12,000 tonne Russian Akula-II class Nerpa nuclear attack submarine by March next year with the submarine successfully completing its final sea trials over the weekend. The nuclear attack submarine, one of the quietest and deadliest amongst all the navies of the world, will join the Indian Navy on a ten year lease.

Akula II

India has reportedly paid up to $650 million for the lease. It is not clear if the amount involves the lease of one or two such submarines.

As per convention, before a client takes possession of a vessel on lease it is first commissioned into the Russian Navy. 

The Nerpa was formally inducted with the raising of the St Andrews Flag, shipyard officials said.

"A state commission has concluded that judging by the results of all trials, the Nerpa nuclear submarine is ready to enter service with the Russian Navy," shipyard officials said.

The commissioning took place on Monday in the town of Bolshoy Kamen in the Primorye Territory, home to the Amur shipyard Vostok repair facility which carried out the repairs.