Russia will lease a nuclear powered attack submarine, the K-152 Nerpa, to India before October this year, a Russian Navy Staff admiral said.

“The submarine is completely ready for transfer. An Indian crew is currently training aboard with Russian instructors. This should be completed before October. We’re running late as it is,” the admiral added.

The training course includes the launching of cruise missiles.

The 110m-long, 8,140t submarine is to be leased by Russia for ten years under a $900m contract signed in January 2004.

The Nerpa was originally scheduled to be inducted into the Indian Navy as INS Chakra by mid 2008.

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