Russian sub mishap upset Indian plans for N-sub

With the Akula-class submarine of Russia meeting with an accident, India's plans to acquire the nuclear-powered vessel could suffer a delay affecting the development of a sea-launched nuclear weapon system.

Two Akula-II submarines were to be obtained by India on a 10-year lease from next year, but yesterday's mishap has forced Russia to take it off the sea trials, which were being monitored by Indian Navy officials.

This submarine would be the first nuclear powered vessel to be inducted into the Indian Navy in over a decade now, after India had use another Russian vessel in the early 1990s.

"Indian Navy officials are already there in Russia monitoring the submarine project -- both during its construction phase and now during the sea trial phase. So we are keeping a close watch on the developments," Navy officials here told PTI today.

They conceded that since the submarine has been taken off the trials and moved to an unnamed shipyard for repairs, it could delay India's plan to acquire them.

India is already asking Russia to ensure proper safety measures on the ship before it is again sent for sea trials.

In fact, India is insisting on the safety measures, as it does not possess an underwater rescue vessel and has been depending on foreign navies for the purpose.

Already India is planning to send a team of sailors to take over the ship from Russians and bring it to its home base at Visakhapatnam. But those plans too would be delayed, it is learned.