INDIA. Mumbai: Indian Navy’s nuclear-powered attack submarine, the INS Chakra, which was taken on lease from Russia (originally Russian Nerpa submarine K 152), was sent back to the country of its origin.
INS Chakra, an Akula class vessel, was taken on lease from Russia in 2012. It was the second nuclear-powered attack submarine that India had taken on lease from that country.It was commissioned in Indian Navy on April 04,2012 and was based in Visakhapatnam.
The submarine was sent back to Russia on the expiry of its lease period. The 8,140-ton submarine is presently en route to Vladivostok, Russia where she is being returned approximately ten months prior to the expiry of her ten-year lease that cost New Delhi approximately $2 billion. She is being operated by an Indian crew and is being accompanied by a Russian and Indian warship. The salvage tug “Kalar” and Delhi class DDG believed to have escorted INS Chakra in the Malacca Straits.
The first nuclear-powered submarine, was taken in 1988 under a three-year lease from the then Soviet Union. In 2019, India sealed a USD 3 billion deal with Russia for leasing another nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy for 10 years. Under the deal, Russia will have to deliver the Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025.
Commander Coast Guard, West Region
In another development the Inspector General Paramesh Sivamani ( President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM), Tatrakshak Medal (TM) recently assumed charge as Commander Coast Guard Region (West). The Flag Officer took over charge from outgoing Commander, IG AP Badola, TM.
Inspector General Paramesh Sivamani, Commander,Coast Guard, West region. (Photo credit: Indian Navy)
The Flag Officer during his illustrious career spanning over three decades has served in various capacities in ashore and afloat appointments. The officer’s professional history is studded with achievements and a proven track record of outstanding and meritorious performance in all assignments that he has held.
The flag officer is specialized in Navigation and Direction and his sea commands include all major vessels of the Indian Coast Guard which include Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel Samar and Offshore Patrol Vessel Vishwast. His key staff assignments were Commander Coast Guard Region (East), Chennai, Deputy Director General (Operation & Coastal Security), Principal Director (Operations) at the Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi, and Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the Coast Guard Regional Headquarters(East), Chennai.
The Flag officer is an alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi, and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is a recipient of the President Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) (Distinguished Service) and Tatrakshak Medal(TM). He was also awarded the Director General Coast Guard Commendation in 2012 and FOCINC (East) Commendation in 2009.
