India has finalised a $2 billion deal to lease a nuclear‑powered submarine from Russia, coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing state visit to New Delhi. The agreement ends nearly ten years of negotiations, delayed by pricing and technical discussions.
The leased submarine is expected to arrive within two years. It will serve mainly as a training platform for Indian Navy personnel, giving them experience in operating nuclear‑powered vessels, though it cannot be deployed in combat. The lease also includes maintenance and support, and will last 10 years, similar to previous submarine leases between the two nations.
This deal gives India immediate access to advanced under‑sea capabilities, bridging a gap while the country develops its own indigenous nuclear and missile‑capable submarines. Nuclear submarines can remain submerged longer, operate more quietly, and cover larger distances than diesel‑powered subs, boosting India’s patrol and deterrence capabilities in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The submarine lease is part of a broader India–Russia strategic partnership, with multiple agreements expected during Putin’s visit covering defence, energy, trade, and other sectors. The deal demonstrates India’s efforts to modernise its navy while maintaining strong defence ties with Russia, even as it expands international partnerships globally.
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