India's nuclear subs delivery could be delayed

RUSSIA-SUB


Vinay Shukla

Moscow, Oct 8 (PTI) The delivery of Akula-II class
Nerpa nuclear submarine to the Indian Navy could be further
delayed as repairs on the underwater vessel have been hit by a
crash-crunch faced by the Russian shipyard.

Although the pre-delivery factory trials have been
successfully completed after last November's mishap claiming
20 lives of technical staff and crew members, the shipyard has
its power supply cut for non-payment electricity bills,
hampering the work on Nerpa, General Director of Amur Shipyard
Nikolai Povzy said Thursday.

"The preparations for pre-commissioning state trials are
underway in complex financial conditions. The "Vostok" plant
of Amur Shipyard has not got the money spent on the repairs of
the submarine after last year's accident and from today the
power has been cut," Povzyk was quoted as saying by RIA
Novosti.

Russia was to deliver the Nerpa nuclear attack submarine
to the Indian Navy on 10-year lease in June-July, however, it
was delayed after accidental release of toxic Freon gas from
the fire suppression system on November 8 last year during
trials in the Sea of Japan.

Later in May Prime Minister Vladimir Putin personally
visited Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the country's Far East and
ordered to complete necessary trials and deliver the submarine
to India by the end of the year. (More) PTI VS
ANU


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.