INS Chakra-Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine,Indian Navy

 INS Chakra is a Russia-made, nuclear-propelled, hunter-killer submarine of Indian Navy.It is a 8140 tonne Akula Class nuclear Powered Attack submarine launched in 2008 and commissioned by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam on the morning of 04 Apr 12.

Unlike conventional submarines that India operates which need to surface to charge their batteries often – sometimes as frequently as 24 hours-INS Chakra can stay under water as long as it wants.Its ability to stay underwater is restrained only by human endurance to Stay Underwater. INS Chakra has been taken on lease from Russia for 10 years and would provide the Navy the opportunity to train personnel and operate such nuclear-powered vessels.

The induction of the INS Chakra is likely to be followed by the induction of the indigenous INS Arihant, which will be capable of launching nuclear weapons and therefore complete the nuclear triad. INS Arihant is also undergoing sea trails at Vizag.After the induction of INS Chakra The India was come under the list of  only nations having the nuclear submarine namely-US,Russia,UK,France and China.

Design and Development-Lease to India

The construction of Submarine started in 1993,but suspended due to lack of funding. The Indian Navy sponsored the building and sea trials of the submarine provided it was given to the Indian Navy on lease for 10 years. It was launched as K-152 Nerpa in October 2008 and entered service with the Russian Navy in late 2009. The submarine was leased to the Indian Navy in 2011 at the cost of $900 million after extensive trials, and was formally commissioned into service as INS Chakra at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam on 4 April 2012.

 INS Chakra was expected to be inducted into Indian Navy a couple of years ago, but after an on-board accident in 2008, in which several Russian sailors died, the delivery schedule was changed.

INS Chakra formally joined the Indian Navy on April 4,2012.  It was commissioned by Defence Minister AK Antony at the Ship Building Complex in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. “INS Chakra will ensure security and sovereignty of the country,” the minister has said. When asked if INS Chakra’s induction will lead to arms race in the region, Defence Minister AK Antony told reporters, “India does not believe in arms race. We are not a confrontationist nation. We are a peaceloving nation….but, at the same time, the armed forces will be strengthened to meet any challenge.”

The induction of the nuclear-powered submarine clearly indicates India’s intentions in the Indian Ocean Region and South East Asia which has recently seen increasing assertive Chinese presence in the last few months. It will also a send a strong reassuring message to south east Asian nations like Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia who want India to play a more active role in the region to counter the assertiveness of China in the area.

Key Features of INS Chakra-Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine,Indian Navy

The Submarine has a length of 108-111.7 m ,Beam of 13.5 m and Draught of 9.6 m.It has a displacement of 8140 tonnes at surface and 12,770 tons when submerged.It can do over at the speed of 20 knots at surface and 35 knots when submerged.It can go upto a depth of 600 metres.It is one of the quietest nuclear submarines around, with noise levels next to zero.The INS Chakra tagged as deadliest submarine.It features a double hull with considerable distance between outer and inner hulls to reduce the possible damage to the inner hull,and a distinctive high aft fin.

The Submarine has about 80 crew members on board with 31 officers.The en tire crew of INS Chakra has been trained in Russia for over a year.Crew are provided with many facilities which include a large recreation area,a gymnasium and a sauna as well.

The INS Chakra is powered by 190 MW OK-650M pressurized water nuclear reactor, steam turbine with 43,000 hp,2 auxiliary electric engines capable of producing 410 hp each and 2 auxiliary diesel engines capable of producing 750 hp each.It has endurance of 100 days.

Armaments

The Akula Class submarine will carry conventional weapons. The vessel is armed with four 533mm torpedo tubes and fourx650mm torpedo tubes.The submarine has capable og storing up to 40 more torpedoes/mines/missiles which includes  the Klub-S family of tactical missiles – 3M14E land-attack cruise missile, 3M-54E anti-ship, and 91RE1 anti-submarine variants.It will be used to hunt and kill enemy ships. 

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