Indian Navy gets boost with inclusion of submarine Nerpa

New Delhi, Dec 31 (ANI): The much-awaited nuclear-powered attack submarine Nerpa has been handed over to India by Russia, thereby giving an impetus to the Indian Navy's fire-power.

The submarine has been handed to India on a 10-year lease at a cost of 920 million dollars.

The Nerpa, an Akula II-class attack submarine, is capable of remaining underwater for months. The submarine will be rechristened as 'INS Chakra'.

The submarine deal had reportedly figured during Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's three-day visit to Moscow earlier in December.

The Akula-II class submarines are equipped with 28 nuclear-capable cruise missiles with a striking range of 3,000 km. The Indian version is reportedly expected to be armed with the 300-km Club nuclear-capable missiles. (ANI)