Article Posted on : - Sep 05, 2009

SSN Akula Class nuclear-powered submarine. A File Photo

VLADIVOSTOK (BNS): Sea trials of Russia's nuclear submarines will start in mid-September, a crew of Indian submariners will take part will join it, according to a media report Friday.

According to Ria Novosti, the submarine is to be leased to India for 10 years under a secret clause of the larger Gorshkov package signed in 2004.

“The Indian submariners would need to undergo a course of training together with Russian specialists and servicemen,” the source said.

They will subsequently operate on their own under the supervision of Russian instructors.

The trials were halted after 20 crew members and technical staff of the shipyard were killed and 17 injured in the accidental triggering of fire suppression system filled with highly toxic Freon gas in the sleeping quarters on November 8, while the submarine was in the Sea of Japan.

India reportedly paid USD 650 million for a 10-year lease of the 12,000-ton K-152 Nerpa, considered the quietest and deadliest of all Russian nuclear-powered attack submarines, it said.