Finally,India gets n-sub from Russia

The INS Chakra was inducted at the Russian port of Primorye

After several missed deadlines and a mid-sea gas leak scare,Indian Navy finally inducted a nuclear-powered attack submarine on Monday.

The INS Chakra,an Akula II class submarine leased from Russia for 10 years,was inducted at the Russian port of Primorye. There has been no official word from New Delhi on the submarine but sources said it would reach Indian seas within a month.

With the induction of Chakra,the second nuclear attack submarine to be operated by the Navy the first,Charlie I was leased from Russia for four years in 1988 India will join a select club of nations comprising the US,UK,Russia,France and China that have such a nuclear powered boat.

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Since the Navy doesnt officially admit that it has leased the vessel from Russia,the induction ceremony was a low-key affair attended by Indian Ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra and head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation,which built the boat,Roman Trotsenko.

Chakra will not complete Indias nuclear triad,that is,it cant carry nuclear weapons at sea,but will be used as a training platform for the Navy which is set to induct several indigenous submarines over the next few years.

The first of these,INS Arihant,set to be operationalised,will complete the nuclear triad. Arihant submarines will be fitted with nuclear-tipped submarine launched ballistic missiles which is crucial to build up Indias second strike capability.

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