India class submarine

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An India class submarine carrying two DSRVs in 1985

The Project 940 Lenok (a type of Salmon) class (known in the West by its NATO reporting name India class) was a military submarine design of the Soviet Union. The India class of boats were designed for high surface speeds, and had tracks on their hulls so they could operate on the ocean floor. The submarines of this class were designed to function as a base for two Poseidon DSRV's (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles), which could rescue the crew of sunken submarines.

While the India class boats have been seen going to the aid of Russian Submarines involved in accidents, they have also been observed working in support of Russian Spetsnaz special operations. The boats had decompression chambers and medical facilities on board. Two vessels of this class were built for the Soviet navy. Both were scrapped in the 1990s.

[edit] Specifications

A United States artist's concept of a India class submarine deploying a deep submergence rescue vehicle to assist a November class submarine

• Displacement
  • 3,900 tons surfaced
  • 4,800-6,840 tons submerged
• Dimensions
  • Length: 106 meters
  • Beam: 9.7 meters
  • Draft: 10 meters
• Propulsion: Diesel-electric, twin screws
• Speed: 15knots (surfaced), 10knots (submerged)
• Crew: 94
• Armament: Four 21in (533mm) torpedo tubes
• Two Poseidon class DSRV's