MOSCOW. Feb 18 (Interfax) - Trials of the Nerpa submarine are almost over and will be delivered to the Russian Navy on time, United Shipbuilding Corporation President Roman Trotsenko told Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
"The submarine is completing sea trials in the Pacific. We think it will be delivered to the Navy on time," he said. "There is no change of plan so far."
The Nerpa project develops under the watchful eye of the Russian government, Trotsenko said.
Nerpa of Project 971 Shchuka B (NATO code name Akula) is a third generation submarine. It carries torpedoes, rocket torpedoes and Granat cruise missiles with a shooting range of 3,000 kilometers.
According to media reports, the Nerpa (known as Chakra in India) will be leased to India for ten years. The contract costs $650 million. Its scheduled to be leased this spring.