The explosion of a high-pressure air cylinder on board the Indian Navy's nuclear submarine "Chakra" (INS Chakra) of the project 971U "Pike-B", which occurred in the spring of 2020 and damaged both hulls of the submarine, caused its early return to Russia by India from the lease.
This is reported by TASS with reference to a source in the military-industrial complex.
"The explosion of a high-pressure air cylinder on the submarine" Chakra "(as part of the Russian Navy was named" Nerpa") occurred in the spring of 2020 during the submarine's campaign. It damaged the light and strong hull of the submarine, " the source said.
According to him, the high-pressure air cylinder was located between the light and strong cases. "As a result of the explosion, the buildings were seriously damaged. Radio-electronic weapons and sonar equipment were also damaged, " he said.
The agency's interlocutor noted that after the emergency, Indian technical specialists carried out repairs to both hulls of the submarine, after which it goes to Russia under its own power in a surface position.
Earlier, the Hindustan Times newspaper, citing sources, reported that the Chakra submarine, transferred to India for a ten-year lease in 2012, is returning to Vladivostok. According to the newspaper, the return of the submarine is associated with the approaching expiration of the lease.
According to the Indian TV channel NDTV, the premature return of the submarine is due to " problems with its maintenance, including the power plant." According to the TV channel, the submarine with the Indian crew on board should be accompanied to Vladivostok by the ships of Russia and India. At the same time, on June 5, the press service of the Russian Pacific Fleet reported that a detachment of its ships consisting of the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and the sea tug Kalar arrived in Singapore and anchored in the area of the Changi naval base, where it will replenish supplies. Rosoboronexport (part of Rostec) declined to comment on the return of the submarine.
