December 03, 2007 (DefenceIndia News Service)

In a significant leap towards the India's defence preparedness, India's first indigenously-built nuclear submarine will be ready by 2009, Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta announced on Monday as he talked about plans to put in place the country's under-sea credible minimum deterrence.

In the next two years, India will also acquire a Russian Ssbn Akula-Class nuclear submarine on long lease, he said at a press conference in New Delhi on the eve of Navy Day.

"Advance technology vessel (as the nuclear powered submarine is classified) would be ready in two years time," the Naval Chief said in first public comments about the project being undertaken by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

"The scientists have confirmed that they would have the project ready for trials by 2009," Mehta said, even as he sought to label the project as a technology demonstrator.

Building of indigenous nuclear submarine will mark a leap forward in the country's defence preparedness considering that China already possesses such systems.

"In our credible minimum nuclear deterrent plans, placing of nuclear weapons under sea is the third triad. We haven't been able to give more time to it recently. But I am hopeful that in the times to come, more attention would be paid to it," he said.

On acquisition of the Akula Class Submarines, Admiral Mehta said the efforts were on to acquire one nuclear submarine on lease from Russia.

"We want the Russian nuclear submarine to enable our boys to train on how to operate nuclear reactors and platforms and other systems," he said.

(Bureau Report)