New Delhi, Feb. 2: The Indian navy's quest to join the ranks of nuclear submarine operators will be realized later this year when Russian K-152 Nerpa joins its fleet.

The nuclear attack submarine has been acquired on a 10 year lease. Almost two decades ago, India had operated a Russian nuclear submarine for three years to train its personnel in handling such vessels. Nuclear attack submarines, capable of operating under water unhindered for several months at a stretch, forms a critical component of modern-day defence capabilities. The Indian navy lags behind its arch rival China in this regard. The eastern military giant has built a considerable number of nuclear submarines capable of launching nuclear ballistic missiles.

India's effort to construct its own nuclear submarine at home reached a landmark last year when INS Arihant, being built with help from the Russians, was launched. It will take some years of trials before the submarine, designed to fire ballistic missiles, would be ready for induction.

The navy plans to fill the gap by operating K-152 Nerpa, an Akula-II class submarine. Operations of nuclear submarines are extremely complicated and needs well-trained handlers. India has a plan to build another nuclear powered submarine after INS Arihant becomes operational and will need a large work force to operate such vessels. The acquisition from Russia has been kept a closely guarded secret but indications have come from Moscow and New Delhi that the submarine would be in Indian waters by June this year. The submarine had met with a gas leak accident in 2008 in which 20 Russian sailors were killed resulting in the delay in the delivery to India. Nerpa would also be christened as INS Chakra just like the earlier Charlie I submarine was named when it operated under an Indian flag two decades ago.

The Russian submarine will be delivered without nuclear capable ballistic missiles and other weapon systems.