Posted on 08/20/2010 5:41:24 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Russian nuclear submarine leased to India -reports
* Nerpa handed over to India military -reports
* Submarine's builder says Indians only on sea trial so far
* The sub cut noise, improved manoeuvrability after accident
MOSCOW, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Russia has handed a new nuclear-powered submarine over to India for a 10-year lease, Russian news agencies reported on Friday, two years after an accident during testing killed 20 people.
The Nerpa, under the command of an Indian crew, left its base on Russia's Pacific coast earlier this week, bound for an Indian naval base, Interfax news agency quoted a source in Russia's military-industrial complex as saying.
Citing a source in Russia's Pacific Fleet, RIA news agency said the submarine was manned by a mixed Russian-Indian crew.
Another RIA report, citing the plant that built the Nerpa, said the submarine had not yet been officially handed over to India. It said the Indian crew was only training aboard the Nerpa at sea.
Russia's Defence Ministry and navy could not be immediately reached for comment. The press service of the Pacific Fleet declined to give any details.
The Nerpa is the latest of a class of attack submarines codenamed "Akula" by NATO, which are armed with torpedoes and cruise missiles. Building of the Nerpa began in 1993 but the submarine was only launched and started sea trials in 2008 due to the piecemeal funding of its construction.
In November 2008 the submarine was on sea trials when its fire extinguishing system switched on unexpectedly. Twenty people died after inhaling the toxic gas used as a fire suppressant, authorities said.
The accident was the deadliest to hit Russia's navy since 2000, when the Kursk
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
“leased”? What are the terms and conditions of that “lease”?
India, due to its continued purchases of Russian military hardware, always reminds me of that old saw about the triumph of hope over experience.
It’s amazing that they are continuing with plans to buy that Russian carrier when the Russians are buying a French helicopter carrier.
Seriously, how weird is that?
You break it; you buy it?
10 years, but 39,000 miles.
Makes you wonder what the “normal wear and tear” inspection at the end of the lease period will look like.
India leased a Russian nuke back in the 80’s I think. A Victor or a Charlie class.
They’ll never get the smell of the curry out of the upholstry. Might as well just sell it to them.
They are leased for a reason. Selling a nuke vessel is a big no-no following non-proliferation laws.
US, due to its continued support and aid to pakistani military, always reminds me of that old saw about triumph of hope over experience.
It’s amazing that they are continuing with plans to fund the pakistani military even when they clearly know pakistan supports and arms the taliban.
Seriously, how weird is that?
LoL! Not so weird anymore.
Or America buying rugged low maintenance Russian copters for Afghania to use.
LOL! Touche!!!
India already has nukes.
A waide variety of nuke techs are banned under a non-proliferation policies. There is a huge technological gap between a primitive Hiroshima-style A-bomb and a gen3 nuke powerplant Akula sub has.
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