Russia has handed over the Project 971 Akula II class, "К-152 Nerpa" nuclear-powered attack submarine to the Indian Navy (IN) on a ten year lease at a cost of over USD 900 million at the Russian port of Vladivostok.

The "К-152 Nerpa" nuclear-powered attack submarine will become first operational nuclear submarine to be operated by Indian Navy in last two decades.

Indian Navy had operated Charlie class nuclear powered cruise missile submarine under lease from the Soviet Navy between 1988 and 1991 which helped Indian in the development of the Arihant (Slayer of Enemies) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.

The design of the Indian Arihant nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine is based on the Russian Charlie class nuclear powered cruise missile submarine and it can can carry up to twelve K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with range of 750 kilometers.

The К-152 Nerpa nuclear-powered attack submarine will be renamed by the Indian Navy as Charlie II nuclear submarine. The Charlie II nuclear-powered attack submarine was scheduled to be handed over to  IN in 2009 but accident in the Sea of Japan in November 2008 resulted in the death of twenty sailors on board during its trials which delayed the delivery.