SSN Nerpa Ready to Depart for India

28.12.2011 Russia is ready to lease nuclear-powered submarine Nerpa to India by the end of 2011; the sub has passed all appropriate trials, reports RIA Novosti referring to a top-ranking representative of Amur Shipyard building the submarine.

According to the contract, lease term is ten years; the price is $920 mln. "As of today, the sub has passed all acceptance trials and is ready to complete assigned tasks at sea. We're ready to hand her over to India by the end of 2011", said the interviewee.

He emphasized that the Russian party expects official affirmative reply from Delhi.

Russia planned to lease SSN Nerpa to Indian Navy back in 2009, but on Nov 2008 a fire occurred in the submarine during sea trials in the Sea of Japan. As a result of unauthorized actuation of firefighting system, toxic gas began to enter compartments. Out of 208 people on board, 20 died and 21 were hospitalized. After repairs, the sub was commissioned into Russian Navy.

SSN Nerpa (K-152, Project 971, Schuka-B class) is a third-generation submarine; she was laid down at Amur Shipyard in 1991. Financing of the sub was cut off in mid-90's. Completion of the submarine became possible only after India's investments.

The submarine's displacement is 8,140/12,770 tons; max speed is 30 knots; test depth is 600 meters; endurance is 100 days; crew is 73 men; armament comprises four 533-mm torpedo tubes and four 650-mm torpedo tubes.