Nerpa's pre-commissioning sea trials from Nov 15

Vinay Shukla
Moscow, Nov 6 (PTI) India's undersea warfare capabilities
will receive a boost as Russia is set to hand over the
Akula-II class 'Nerpa' nuclear attack submarine early next
year, with the vessel going for the final pre-commissioning
trials on November 15.

"The state-trials are to commence on November 15. Usually
they last for two weeks. On the boat there are no more
unresolved issues," Anatoly Zinovyev, chief of the
pre-delivery trials department of Amur Shipyard, was quoted as
saying by Interfax.
He said currently preparations are underway for the
pre-commissioning sea trials and minor flaws found during
technical trails are being put in order.
According to earlier reports, 'Nerpa' will be inducted by
the Russian navy by the end of this year after which the
Indian naval crew would undergo training by Russian
instructors and then the sub would be rechristened as INS
Chakra during its 10-year lease costing USD 650 million.
Initially Russia was to deliver the nuclear sub, said to
be the quietest vessel, last summer itself, but the delivery
has been delayed till the beginning of March-April 2010.
(More) PTI VS
SDE