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The Mythical Indian SSN Goes to Sea
July 6, 2006: The long rumored, but much denied, deal for Indian to lease one, or two, Russian Akula II class nuclear attack subs, is hot news once more. That's because one of the Akula II subs, the Nerpa, was recently launched at the Russian Pacific shipyards. The Nerpa will be completed and undergo sea trials next year. In 2002, the stories began to appear, that India was leasing one, or two, Russian nuclear attack submarines (SSN). Eventually, both India and Russia denied the deal, which was promptly renamed as "a secret deal." The term of the lease was said to be ten years. The Akula II class boat, which was being built in a yard near the Chinese border, was 85 percent complete in 2004, and, at the time, it was said that the boat would be turned over to India in 2007. In the meantime, Indian submariners are supposed to be undergoing training, in secret. There have been stories of Indian sailors spotted at Russian naval bases. Construction of new Akula II subs was stalled, in the 1990s, for lack of cash, and the story was that the Indians are now supplying the cash to complete construction. Russia introduced the Akula class subs in 1984, and has continued building them and upgrading the design. The 10,600 ton Akula II is considered roughly equivalent to the 6,900 ton American Los Angeles class (which first appeared in the 1970s). There are ten Akulas in service, and six more under construction. Posted by: Steve 2006-07-06 |
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