India now seems all set to acquire a second nuclear-powered submarine on lease from Russia, at a cost of about $1.5 billion, to bolster its ageing underwater combat arm that took a major hit with the sinking of a conventional submarine in Mumbai in August.
While the over 8,000-tonne new steel shark will have a miniaturised nuclear reactor at its core for propulsion, it will not be armed with long-range nuclear missiles because of international treaties like the Missile Technology Control Regime.
But, much like the first leased submarine INS Chakra being currently operated by the Indian Navy, it will act as a “potent hunter-killer” of enemy warships and submarines as well as have cruise missiles to hit land targets.
Capable of operating at extended ranges for long durations, unlike diesel-electric submarines that require to surface or “snorkel” every few days to get oxygen to re-charge their batteries, INS Chakra has added some desperately-needed muscle to the country’s underwater fleet of just 13 conventional submarines.
With PM Manmohan Singh currently visiting Moscow, and Defence Minister AK Antony to follow suit on November 15-17, the contract for the second nuclear-powered submarine from Russia is “well on the cards” now, said sources.
