NEW DELHI: Russian authorities have demanded over $20 million for rectifying the damage suffered by India’s nuclear submarine INS Chakra, which was dry-docked last week, even as the government is seeking to fix responsibility for the accident, The Hindu reported on Tuesday.

It quoted defence sources as saying that Russia has quoted $20 million for fixing the nuclear submarine’s front portion, which was damaged while the submarine was entering the harbour in Visakhapatnam.

The details of the accident emerged in public in early October last year.

“The developments around INS Chakra come even as the indigenously-built nuclear ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant, which had suffered extensive damage because of human error over a year ago, is yet to be back to active sailing,” The Hindu said.

After extensive flushing and replacement of many of its pipes, Arihant was floated recently but sailing it will take more time, the defence sources told the paper.

On INS Chakra, Russian officials have conveyed to India that they would be making all the replacement panels in their own facility and would not be using any Indian facilities.

The almost 5x5 ft. panels of the sonar dome would be brought to Visakhapatnam and fitted on to the leased submarine, The Hindu said.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2018