Article Posted on : - Mar 17, 2010

Akula class nuclear attack submarine of Russia. A File photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): Indian Navy will soon have the Akula-II nuclear-powered submarine.

According to The Times Of India, a supplementary agreement to this effect was signed during the recent visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in New Delhi.

India has thus received a 10-year lease for the K-152 Nerpa submarine from Russia.

India, in accordance with the document, will soon send a 50-member submarine crew, including 8-10 officers, to Russia to train on the Akula-II class nuclear submarine, the report said quoting a defence ministry source.

K-152 Nerpa will be inducted in Indian Navy and is said to be recommissioned as INS Chakra.

India's indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant will become operational in 2011-2012.