Saturday, November 8, 2024

Were there Indian Navy personnel aboard Russian Accident sub?

AFP and Reuters are both reporting on an accident aboard a Russian nuclear submarine undergoing sea trials. Apparently the firefighting system was inadvertently activated; that's all the information available so far. The submarine is underway back to port, and suffered no reactor damage; however, around 20 people were killed aboard the sub. The Reuters story says that during the sea trials, of the 208 people aboard, 81 were servicemen. The others, according to the Russians, were technical specialists and naval technicians.


Galrahn posted earlier about the Indian Navy paying Russia to prepare for delivery of a leased SSN, and that that submarine had been sent to the Primorye Territory. That area is in far southeastern Russia, near Japan. The news reports say that the stricken sub is steaming back to a Russian Pacific Fleet base. My questions, and they're obvious ones: Was this the submarine intended for delivery to India? (Sure looks like it so far). Was the submarine damaged? (Don't know.) Were there any Indian personnel aboard? (Again, don't know.) If yes to any of the above, will this affect the lease deal? (Interesting and don't know.)


Let me be clear: My condolences and best wishes to all those who fared aboard this submarine along with their families, their friends and colleagues. In the eyes of the sea, we are all merely men; and as such, brothers.

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