VISHAKHAPATNAM: Defence minister AK Antony has said that INS Chakra will provide a big boost to the Indian Navy.
Speaking to media after commissioning Russian-origin 'Nerpa' into the Navy on Wednesday, Antony said the induction of nuclear submarine will further strengthen the defence forces.
He said the induction of nuclear submarine was not directed against any country.
Earlier, after a gap of two decades, India joined the elite club of nations having nuclear-powered submarines with the induction of the Russian-origin 'Nerpa' into the Navy.
India had earlier leased and operated Charlie Class Russian nuclear submarine from 1988 for training its personnel on such submarines.
With INS Chakra and the indigenous INS Arihant expected to start operational patrols soon, India will soon have two nuclear submarines guarding its vast maritime boundaries.
The Nerpa has been taken on lease from Russia for ten years and would provide Navy the opportunity to train and operate such nuclear-powered vessels.
Speaking to media after commissioning Russian-origin 'Nerpa' into the Navy on Wednesday, Antony said the induction of nuclear submarine will further strengthen the defence forces.
He said the induction of nuclear submarine was not directed against any country.
Earlier, after a gap of two decades, India joined the elite club of nations having nuclear-powered submarines with the induction of the Russian-origin 'Nerpa' into the Navy.
India had earlier leased and operated Charlie Class Russian nuclear submarine from 1988 for training its personnel on such submarines.
With INS Chakra and the indigenous INS Arihant expected to start operational patrols soon, India will soon have two nuclear submarines guarding its vast maritime boundaries.
The Nerpa has been taken on lease from Russia for ten years and would provide Navy the opportunity to train and operate such nuclear-powered vessels.
