Russian submarine Nerpa (K-152)

The Nerpa (K-152) is an Akula-class (Project 971) nuclear-powered attack submarine originally built by Russia and later leased to India. Its Russian designation is K-152 Nerpa. The submarine was laid down in 1991 at the Amur Shipbuilding Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia, but construction was significantly delayed due to funding shortages following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In 2004, Russia and India reached an agreement for the completion and lease of the Nerpa to the Indian Navy. The agreement involved significant refurbishment and upgrades to the submarine. The Indian Navy renamed the submarine INS Chakra (S71) upon its commissioning.

The INS Chakra (S71) provided the Indian Navy with a significant boost in its underwater capabilities. It served as an important platform for training Indian submariners in the operation of nuclear-powered submarines and for conducting various strategic missions. The submarine is equipped with advanced sensors, weaponry, and stealth technologies.

In 2021, the lease to India expired and the submarine was returned to Russia. There were reports of negotiations for a possible renewal of the lease, but as of late 2023, no definitive agreement has been publicly announced. The current status of the Nerpa (K-152) is that it is in the Russian Navy's inventory, with its future operational role yet to be fully determined. The submarine represents a complex and multi-faceted history of Russian shipbuilding, international relations, and naval technology.