What will INS Chakra (ex Nerpa) be used for?

Possibly an Akula II which may be INS Chakra (ex Nerpa).

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This post is a following from comments raised on Full(?) handover of nuclear submarine INS Chakra (ex-Nerpa) said to occur by end January 2012  January 16, 2011 on this blog.

Sujith said...


Pete,

The argument that the coming of the Chakra is good news to the IN as in it helps bolster the numbers is flawed IMO.

I believe Chakra will serve mostly as a platform to train crew and more importantly act as a test platform for missiles and the like, as you well understand.

I think IN will have specific strategies to its nuclear subs and conventional ones and they will not be used interchangeably (unlike the USN, it would be financially impossible for the IN)

This is probably why the IN is buying the Scorpenes, and planning to buy 6 more subs of foreign make, and acquire 12 more of a domestic design.

All-in-all, I don't think Chakra will be an a deterrent patrol anytime soon.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 5:13:00 PM
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Hi Sujith
In response I think INS Chakra is contributing to a mistaken public perception that India's submarine force has been strengthed but eventually Chakra will represent a de facto strengthening.

As the average newspaper reader know less than you and I do about the "real" utility of "bright shiny new" weapons I think the public perception that Chakra will quickly enhance India's defence capability will be encouraged by the Indian Navy.


I agree that for several years Chakra will be primarily a training and weapons test vessal for (say three) years until Arihant http://idp.justthe80.com/naval-projects/submarines/ins-arihant-ssbn#TOC-Weapon-fit is fully ready to take over the training/systems testing role.

Chakra has a training role wider than its SSN designation.While Arihant is classed as an SSBN it also has a broader crew training and systems testing role.

I suggest the difference between peacetime training and operationational service of a sub is a finer line than for surface ships. Part of this is the common need for reactor and broader undersea safety observed in training and on operations, The likely? presence of a Chakra weapons load needed for realistic testing in part gives Chakra an operational capability.

As I expect Chakra will be tested on the high seas it will need to maintain its stealthy operating style (eg. low radio emissions, low sonic signature) which is similar to an operational vessel. The Indian Navy (and Russian Navy) will not want Chakra's (Akula II) operating emissions revealed unnecessarily.

So I agree Chakra will not embark on a deterrent patrol anytime soon. A serious patrol might occur in say 3 years once Chinese submarines are known to have entered the Indian Ocean. Even though India will not wish to destroy such subs (in peacetime) India will aim to gather intelligence on the emissions (eg, sonic signatures) and tactical style of these Chinese subs.

BTW I just spotted (late in the peace) this useful site Indian Defense Projects Sentinel http://idp.justthe80.com/  which has an entry on Chakra http://idp.justthe80.com/naval-projects/submarines/ins-chakra-ssn .
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Pete