India’s first indigenously-built nuclear submarine will be ready for tests by 2009. This has been announced by Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta while addressing a press conference in Mumbai on the eve of Navy Day on Monday.
This was announced by Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta as he talked about plans to put in place the country’s under-sea credible minimum deterrence in Mumbai on Monday.
Code named Advance Technology Vessel (ATV), the strategic vessel is under construction at Vishakhapatnam.
At the same time, the Naval Chief said India was negotiating to lease a Russian nuclear submarine and hoped the country would get the platform in the middle of next year, adding it would be used for training Indian naval personnel.
Earlier, also, India had leased a nuclear submarine from Russia.
On the progress of indigenous ATV, he said this technology demonstrator, being built by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), would be commissioned within two years.
Replying to a query, Admiral Mehta admitted the country was also trying to procure submarines other than the Scorpene and the letter of request could be issued next year.
India currently has 16 diesel-powered submarines, including ten Russian Kilo-class and four German HDW boats.
The country has already contracted to buy six French Scorpene submarines for Rs 18,000 crore, and these would be delivered to the Indian Navy between 2012 and 2017.
