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Nuclear Submarine: India will get the third nuclear submarine from Russia on a 10-year lease in 2027-28. After joining the Indian Navy, it will be known as INS Chakra III. Why is this submarine available on lease for only 10 years, know…
Nuclear Submarine: For the first time since the start of Ukraine war in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin is coming on a two-day visit to India on 4-5 December. India and Russia are age-old allies, their relations have been going on since the time of India’s independence. Putin’s visit to India will not be a normal and regular visit of any world leader. The Russian leader’s two-day visit will go beyond general diplomacy and focus on trade, defense deals and employment. When Putin meets Prime Minister Modi, they are likely to discuss Donald Trump and the pressure on New Delhi to ease ties with Moscow.
Due to Putin’s visit, the nuclear submarine which India is going to get from Russia has also come into limelight. This will be the third nuclear submarine that India will get from Russia. Its delivery is expected to take place in 2027 or 2028. After joining the Indian Navy, it will be known as INS Chakra III. This nuclear powered attack submarine will be taken on lease for 10 years. This will be the third submarine to be taken on lease from Russia. This is apart from India’s own third nuclear ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridman. INS Aridaman is going to be commissioned soon.
Nuclear submarine will be available by 2027-28
The nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN-Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine) that India will get from Russia will be equipped with conventional (non-nuclear) weapons. It is used to search and destroy enemy submarines, warships and strategic targets. In March 2019, an agreement worth more than $3 billion (approximately Rs 25,000 crore) was signed. This submarine was expected to be delivered by 2025, but it has been delayed due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Now its delivery is likely to happen by 2027-28. Before being given on lease, this submarine is being modernized at the Severodvinsk Shipyard in Russia. For the first time, Akula-class submarine (INS Chakra – 1988-1991) was taken on lease. For the second time, an Akula-class submarine named Nerpa (INS Chakra 2012-2022) was taken on lease for 10 years.
Aridaman will join next year
Apart from this, India will further strengthen the sea-based part of its nuclear triangle by inducting its third indigenously built nuclear powered submarine INS Aridman into the Navy early next year. This submarine is larger than the first two and is capable of carrying long-range nuclear-powered ballistic missiles. This is the third such submarine built in India which is called SSBN in naval language. Its testing is in the final stages and will soon be inducted into the Navy as INS Aridman. Earlier, two INS Arihant and INS Arighat were inducted into the Indian Navy. The fourth SSBN is likely to be commissioned in 2027.
Why is the lease of Russian submarine only 10 years?
India’s ultimate goal is to completely eliminate dependence on other countries for nuclear submarines. The primary objective of the lease is to ensure that the Indian Navy always has a fleet of operational nuclear submarines until the indigenous program is fully established. This lease serves as an interim solution. This ensures that India always has the capability of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN). The submarine provides a valuable training platform for sailors and technicians of the Indian Navy in the operation, maintenance and repair of nuclear reactors and complex submarine systems. This experience is important for India’s own Arihant-class (SSBN) and future SSN programme.
INS Chakra-3 is an attack submarine, which is used for conventional warfare operations. INS Aridman is a ballistic missile submarine armed with nuclear-capable missiles and is considered the safest and most reliable platform for credible minimum deterrence under India’s ‘no-first-use’ nuclear policy. These submarines will significantly enhance India’s strategic strength and deterrence capability in the Indian Ocean region amid the growing maritime capabilities of countries like China and Pakistan.
