ID :
29932
Thu, 11/13/2008 - 09:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/29932
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Were there Indians on accident-hit Russian nuke sub?
Moscow, Nov 12 (PTI) The possibility of Indian naval personnel's presence on board the accident-hit Russian K-152 Nerpa nuclear attack submarine has not been ruled out by the Russian experts amid reports that the vessel was to be transferred to India after current sea trials.
At the time of mishap, in which 20 people including 17
civilian technicians, were killed and 21 injured on Saturday
night due to abrupt release of deadly Freon gas, there were
208 people on board the Nerpa (Akula-II) sub to be leased to
India for 10 years, while its regular crew is under 80.
"The Indian Navy, which was to get the submarine some
time next year, was monitoring its completion at the shipyard
in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and trials of its various systems at all
stages, and their presence on board during trials was quite
possible," a Russian expert said on condition of anonymity.
He said that at least in the past Indian teams had been
on board the vessels ordered by them.
Russia has been keeping the nuclear submarine lease deal
under wraps, unlike Indian diplomatic and naval officials, who
said it was part of the Gorshkov package signed in January
2004.
"Indian Navy officials are already there in Russia
monitoring the submarine project -- both during its
construction phase and now during the sea trial phase. So we
are keeping a close watch on the developments," according to
Indian Navy officials.
A local daily close to the Kremlin today reported that
the nuclear submarine was to be leased to India and an
agreement to this effect was to be signed after the completion
of trials.
Experts said that in his first official statement on the
accident on Sunday, Russian Naval spokesman Igor Dygalo had
mentioned "more than 20 dead".
But, they noted that after some time the number was
changed to exactly 20 and their names published, which
comprised three Russian naval personnel and 17 technical staff
of the shipyard and subcontractors.
The experts said the final answer to this question can
only be given by the Indian navy.
However, the Vremya Novostyei daily disputed this saying
that Indian naval personnel could not be present on board the
submarine without a formal agreement on the lease being
concluded. PTI VS
SAK
At the time of mishap, in which 20 people including 17
civilian technicians, were killed and 21 injured on Saturday
night due to abrupt release of deadly Freon gas, there were
208 people on board the Nerpa (Akula-II) sub to be leased to
India for 10 years, while its regular crew is under 80.
"The Indian Navy, which was to get the submarine some
time next year, was monitoring its completion at the shipyard
in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and trials of its various systems at all
stages, and their presence on board during trials was quite
possible," a Russian expert said on condition of anonymity.
He said that at least in the past Indian teams had been
on board the vessels ordered by them.
Russia has been keeping the nuclear submarine lease deal
under wraps, unlike Indian diplomatic and naval officials, who
said it was part of the Gorshkov package signed in January
2004.
"Indian Navy officials are already there in Russia
monitoring the submarine project -- both during its
construction phase and now during the sea trial phase. So we
are keeping a close watch on the developments," according to
Indian Navy officials.
A local daily close to the Kremlin today reported that
the nuclear submarine was to be leased to India and an
agreement to this effect was to be signed after the completion
of trials.
Experts said that in his first official statement on the
accident on Sunday, Russian Naval spokesman Igor Dygalo had
mentioned "more than 20 dead".
But, they noted that after some time the number was
changed to exactly 20 and their names published, which
comprised three Russian naval personnel and 17 technical staff
of the shipyard and subcontractors.
The experts said the final answer to this question can
only be given by the Indian navy.
However, the Vremya Novostyei daily disputed this saying
that Indian naval personnel could not be present on board the
submarine without a formal agreement on the lease being
concluded. PTI VS
SAK
