Article Posted on : - Jul 31, 2009

A file photo of Nerpa nuke submarine.

VLADIVOSTOK (BNS): After successfully completing the first stage of sea trials early this week, Russia’s nuclear attack submarine Nerpa resumed its second phase of trials on Friday.

"The submarine left dock at the Vostok repair facility in the town of Bolshoy Kamen in the Primorye Territory and headed for the Sea of Japan," a source was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

The vessel’s trials had been suspended for some time following an accident it met with on November 8, 2008. The operation restarted on July 10 in the Sea of Japan following extensive repairs. It was completed on Monday, the report said.

The submarine has been fitted with equipment meant for performance checking and other adjustment work, and the new trials will last for at least two weeks, an official at the Vostok repair facility said.

The Akula-II class nuclear-powered submarine will be commissioned in the Russian Navy after completing sea trials. It is expected to be handed over to the Indian Navy for a 10-year lease by the end of this year under the name INS Chakra.