India eyes nuclear submarine trials by 2009

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India will be ready to test its first domestically built nuclear-powered submarine at sea by 2009, its navy chief said on Monday.

A long-running secret project, India's nuclear-powered submarine is said to be a 5,000-tonne modified version of the Russian Charlie-II class vessel.

Code-named "the Advanced Technology Vessel", the submarine will be capable of launching nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles and give India's navy an advantage over nuclear rival Pakistan.

"Scientists have confirmed that they (will) have the project ready for trials by 2009," the Press Trust of India quoted Admiral Sureesh Mehta as saying.

With about 140 ships in its fleet and dozens of new frigates and French Scorpene submarines to be delivered soon, India's navy is increasing its capabilities.

India leased for three years a nuclear-powered submarine from the former Soviet Union in 1988, and Mehta said there were plans for another similar agreement with Russia.

"We want the Russian nuclear submarine to enable our boys to train on how to operate nuclear reactors and platforms and other systems," he said.

Keeping pace with its new economic powerhouse image, India's military, the world's fourth largest, is on a modernising spree, trying to project power beyond its shores.

It is building a domestically-produced aircraft carrier and is also buying one from Russia.