August 11, 2008	Monday	Sha’aban 8, 1429

NEW DELHI, Aug 10: India will induct Russian-made nuclear submarine “Akula” in its naval fleet next year Indian Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta while delivering a lecture here on Navy's vision for the future said after a delay, Akula submarine is likely to join service with Indian Navy next year.

“The risk of conventional conflict also looms large over the sub-continent. Therefore, we expect our neighbour to operate on all spectrums of conflicts. Threats are many - transient and dynamic,” he said.

Mehta said this submarine will basically be used for training of personnel. These personnel operate the indigenous nuclear-powered submarine that is under secret construction at the Mazagaon Docks in Mumbai.

The sea trials of the Indian nuclear-powered submarine will start in the next two years.

India already has 16 diesel powered submarines. It is building six more Scorpene submarines under a technology transfer contract from the French which are scheduled to be inducted from 2012 to 2017.

“We will deter conflict through conventional and non-conventional strength. But if this fails, we will fight to achieve decisive victory over our adversaries, “Media reports quoting Mehta said.

The Indian navy, Mehta said was looking at becoming a 160-plus ship force by 2022.

“By 2022, we plan to have 160-plus ship navy, including three aircraft carriers, 60 major combatants including submarinies and close to 400 aircraft of different types. This will be a formidable three dimentional force with satellite surveillance and networking to provide force multiplication,” Mehta said.

He further said Indian Navy already have an indigenous order today to construct 38 vessels, which included an aircraft carrier, three destroyers and frigates each, six submarines, 10 waterjet-propelled fast attack craft, a landing ship, six survey vessels, four anti-submarine corvettes and four offshore patrol vessels, with many more orders on the anvil.—APP