Sunday, November 01, 2009

DTN News: Indian Navy Mulls Induction Of 5 Midget Submarines

DTN News: Indian Navy Mulls Induction Of 5 Midget Submarines *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - November 2, 2009: The Indian Navy is mulling the procurement and induction of five midget submarines into its force in a bid to bolster its underwater capabilities, Defense Ministry sources said on Sunday. "The plans to procure the midget submarines, which weigh less than 150 tons, came in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks last November, in which the militants used sea route to enter India. The vessels will be inducted into the Marine Commandos force to carry out surveillance as well as attack operations," the sources said. The Indian Navy currently maintains a fleet of diesel-electric submarines. India signed a deal for six Scorpene submarines which will join the Indian Navy from 2012 onwards. The country's indigenously designed and built nuclear-powered submarines of the Arihant class are expected to be commissioned starting in 2011. India is purchasing from Russia the Kiev class aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov which will be delivered to India by 2012. The force is also negotiating with Russia for the acquisition of further Advanced Talwar class frigates, and six conventional submarines. India is also said to have paid two billion U.S. dollars for the completion of two Akula II class submarines. Three hundred Indian Navy personnel are being trained in Russia for the operation of these submarines. India has finalized a deal with Russia, in which at the end of the lease of these submarines, it has an option to buy them.

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