India Anticipates Russian Sub Delivery by Year-End
NEW DELHI - India is hopeful that Russia will deliver by year's end two Akula-class nuclear powered attack submarines, Indian Defence Ministry sources said.
Moscow has told the Defence Ministry that the subs should be delivered after sea trials are completed this year, Defence Ministry sources said.
The Indian Navy had been apprehensive about delivery of the submarines after an Akula-class submarine built for India met with an internal accident last November, killing three crew members.
India has contracted for two Akula-class submarines over the past four years.
India's indigenous nuclear submarine, the Advance Technology Vehicle (ATV), also is to be commissioned in 2010, said Indian Navy sources. The ATV will be capable of launching nuclear-capable missiles, completing the third leg of India's nuclear-delivery systems.
India leased a Russian Charlie-II nuclear-class vessel in 1988 for three years, which formed the basic design of the ATV.
India's Navy needs the nuclear submarines to counter the growing Chinese threat in the Indian Ocean, said Zack Mathews, retired Indian Navy commodore and independent defense analyst.
Nuclear-powered submarines, with their greater speed, power and range, are effective for sudden strikes and to provide fast and stealthy protection from attacks, added Mathews.
Help
