SSN Nerpa to be leased to India till June

03.02.2010
Russian nuclear-powered submarine Nerpa which accident caused 20 deaths in 2008 will be leased to Indian Navy by the end of June 2010, informs PTI news agency.

Late 2009 it was reported by Interfax-AVN citing the source in Russian military industry that the sub would be handed over in April.

The sub will pass supplemental check in February and all defects revealed during state trials will be eliminated, said official from Russian Ministry of Defense Press Service.

Nerpa had passed state trials program late 2009 and was commissioned into Russian Navy since India intends to lease but not purchase the sub. According to Indian sources, India will lease Nerpa for 10 years and pay $650 mln.

As a consequence of freon release happened in Nerpa on Nov 8, 2008 during her first sea trials in the Sea of Japan, 20 died and 21 were intoxicated out of 208 attendants. Seaman Dmitry Grobov was accused in "causing death carelessly to two or more persons" as per part 3 clause 109 of the RF Criminal Code which provides deprivation of freedom on term up to five years. Supposedly, the seaman incorrectly adjusted an air temperature sensor in living compartment and that led to emergency actuation of firefighting system. Later on, commander of the sub Dmitry Lavrentiev and Sergei Zakharchenko, ex-commander of 72d brigade of built and repaired submarines were also charged. Ground for charge is part 3 clause 293 of RF Criminal Code ("Negligence, i.e. non-fulfillment or improper fulfillment of functions due to unconscientious or nonchalant attitude towards service resulted in death of two and more persons"). Results of investigation have not been promulgated.

SSN Nerpa was laid down in 1993 under Project 971 at Amur Shipyard. In 2002 the works were frozen due to lack of financing; the sub was launched only in June 4, 2006. In 2004 they started fitting-out the sub under Project 971I to lease it for India.

Nerpa is multipurpose nuclear-power submarine of Project 971 Schuka-B.

PERFORMANCE

NATO classification: Akula-II
Surface speed: 11.6 knots
Submerged speed: 30 knots
Operating depth: 520 meters
Maximum diving depth: 600 meters
Endurance: 100 days
Crew: 73

DIMENSIONS

Surface displacement: 8,140 tons
Submerged displacement: 12,770 tons
Extreme length (at design waterline): 114.3 meters
Extreme hull beam: 13.6 meters
Mean draft (at design waterline): 9.7 meters

PROPULSION

Nuclear reactor OK-650B3 (190 MW); 1 turbine (43 000 shp).

ARMAMENT

4 x 650-mm torpedo tubes
4 x 533-mm torpedo tubes

Source: RusNavy.com, photo: SSN Nerpa (NR2.Ru)