Bellona nuclear digest. August 2024
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
News
Publish date: March 24, 1999
Written by: Igor Kudrik
News
Russian Defence Minister, Igor Sergeev, ended three days of talks with his Indian counterpart yesterday which included sending Indian officers to Russian military schools, conventional arms deliveries and, unofficially, the transfer or purchase of two nuclear-powered submarines
The Russian newspaper, Kommersant Daily, reported the presence of an Indian military delegation at a Northern Fleet Akula-class submarine base during the summer of 1998. The delegation was reportedly pleased with the Akula-class boats and in November 1998 raised the question of a possible paurchase at the meeting of a joint military co-operation commission. Those discussions left the signing of a deal to Sergeev’s March visit to the Indian capital.
Kommersant Daily reported India’s request to buy two nuclear-powered submarines during Sergeev’s stay in New Delhi. Indian Funding for the completion and performance testing of Akula submarines was a subsequent request.
Russian officials refused to comment on Sergeev’s trip to India. The Russian daily, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, known for its close military contacts, reported a Defence Ministry that was silent on the issue.
Marat Kenzhetaev, of the Moscow-based Centre for Arms Control, told Bellona Web that news of a sale were pure fiction. He said Russian laws on military-technical co-operation specify types of Russian arms available for sale and eligible client nations.
"This list does not include nuclear-powered submarines so far," Kenzhetaev said.
He said that should Russia move ahead with the deal it will not be in violation of any international agreements or treaties. "But it will make the U.S. and China feel very nervous and they will protest heavily against it," Kenzhetaev added.
Advanced technology vessel
In January 1988, Russia leased a Charlie-I-class cruise-missile submarine to India. When the lease ended in January 1991, India launched its so-called Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program. Operators of the leased submarine subsequently assumed key positions as nuclear submarine design officers in the Indian military-industrial complex.
In recent years, the ATV program did not receive its expected funding due to an increased provision for the development of nuclear weapons. In 1999, the Indian Defence Ministry increased funding for ATV by 15 per cent to $10 billion, with future funding guaranteed.
But reports differ on whether India has actually laid down submarines. One report suggests there are two submarines laid down at Indian shipyards with three on order. The source adds that New Delhi plans to commission its first nuclear powered-submarine by 2004.
The Russian Defence Ministry newspaper, Krasnaya Zvezda, reported in 1998 that Russia was helping India build a submarine hull, including fitting it with a nuclear reactor.
Some reports also suggest hulls laid down in India are near blueprints of the newest Russian attack submarine, the Severodvinsk-class, currently under construction in Arkhangelsk County. The same reports indicate submarine nuclear power installations to be beyond the capabilities of Indian designers, pointing to a need to obtain complete constructions from Russia.
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
Kazakhstan voted in a referendum last weekend on whether to build its first nuclear power plant, and an exit poll showed voters backed the idea promoted by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's cabinet in an effort to phase out coal plants.
In this news digest, we monitor events that impact the environment in the Russian Arctic. Our focus lies in identifying the factors that contribute to pollution and climate change.
Introduction Competitiveness has been the dominating topic in EU political discussions in recent months and is set to be a key focus of the upcomi...