The Indian Navy commissioned its leased Russian-built Akula (Project 971) nuclear-powered attack submarine on 4 April, nearly three years behind schedule. INS Chakra (ex-Nerpa) was inducted into service at Rambilli base near Visakhapatnam, making India the sixth country to operate SSNs. The 9,246-tonne vessel will serve as a crew training platform for the IN's future Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Kazakhstan has unveiled what it says is the first locally built patrol vessel for its nascent navy. Armed with a twin 23 mm mounting, Kazakhstan was due to be launched into the Caspian Sea by late April and undergo final testing in August.
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