Russia has handed over the nuclear-powered attack submarine Nerpa to India following more than two years of delays, a senior naval official was quoted as saying Friday.
“The signing ceremony happened yesterday at the Bolshoi Kamen ship building facility in the (far east) Primorye region where the Nerpa is now based,” the official said. Russian reports said an Indian crew would sail the Akula II class craft to its home base at the end of January after receiving it on a 10-year lease that has angered Pakistan.
The craft is due to reach its Bay of Bengal base of Visakhapatnam under the Indian flag in February and be commissioned by the Navy in March.
“All of the naval tests and performance checks have been completed,” the Russian official said.
“The crew will begin making themselves feel at home on board the craft after New Year and start sailing it to India in the latter half of January.”