Indian Navy Commissioned Russian Submarine SSN Nerpa

04.04.2012 Project 971 Schuka-B nuclear-powered attack submarine K-152 Nerpa leased to India for a 10-year long period was officially commissioned into Indian Navy on Apr 4, 2012. According to ITAR-TASS, the commissioning ceremony took place at Vishakhapatnam naval base, Andhra Pradesh state. Indian name the sub is INS Chakra.

The ceremony was attended by Indian Defense Minister Arakaparambil Kurian Antony and Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin. Indian military plans to use the Russian submarine primarily as training platform for crews of nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant. Nevertheless, Chakra will be armed with Club-S missile system and new torpedoes.

Acceptance certificate of INS Chakra was signed on Dec 30, 2011 in Russian Navy Main HQ, and official handover ceremony was held on Jan 23, 2012 at Zvezda Shipyard in Bolshoi Kamen, Far East. Lease contract costs about $900 mln.

INS Chakra is a third-generation submarine. Displacement is 12,800 tons; test depth is 600 meters; max submerged speed is 30 knots. Armament may include cruise missiles, torpedoes and rocket torpedoes. INS Chakra will be the only nuclear-powered submarine in Indian Navy until commission of INS Arihant.