India’s first submarine on lease from Moscow, being built at Komsomolsk-on-Amur shipyard near Khabarovsk city in far-east Russia, is expected to be ready for sea trials in 2009. Armed with 300 km-range Klub land attack missiles, the Akula class submarine has a double hull that allows it to dive deeper than any modern attack version - it is also one of the quietest in its category. The Indian Navy’s nuclear experience is limited to INS Chakra, a Charlie class nuclear submarine taken on lease from Russia from 1988-91.

Apart from the submarine, Narayanan also discussed with officials the need for Russia to sign the integrity pact to participate in future hardware sales to India. Apparently, Russia is ready to sign the pact, which is aimed at eliminating middle-men in arms deals, as its committed hardware sales to India stand at $14.6 billion.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister A.K. Antony is going to Russia for the Indo-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation from October 17-19 with an eye of acquiring 347 T-90 S tanks for the Army — India already has 310 such tanks.