SSN Nerpa to Join Indian Navy on Apr 4

02.04.2012 Official commissioning ceremony of Russian nuclear-powered submarine SSN Nerpa (INS Chakra) leased to Indian Navy will be held on Apr 4, said a source in Indian defense ministry.

Russia officially handed over the submarine to India in Jan 2012. According to the contract, Nerpa will serve in Indian Navy for 10 years. The contract costs over $900 mln, reports RIA Novosti.

"Commissioning ceremony of leased Russian submarine Nerpa (renamed into INS Chakra in Indian Navy) will be conducted in Vishakhapatnam on April 4", said the insider at the Defexpo India 2012 exhibition taking place in New Delhi.

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's construction was frozen in mid-90's.

The submarine was completed only after India's investments.

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 includes four 533-mm and four 650-mm torpedo tubes.