Nuclear submarines, Caliber cruise missiles… Friend Putin coming to Delhi with an explosive offer, will India take a devastating power from Russia?
Russian President Vladimir Putin is coming to Delhi in September this year. He will participate in the annual summit between India and Russia. This is the first time that the Russian President is visiting India since the start of the Ukraine war. During this time, Russia is making a big offer to India. Vladimir Putin’s defense agenda includes the offer of both conventional and nuclear submarines and long-range cruise missiles. Quoting sources, the report said that Russia is offering the lease and transfer of a second Akula class nuclear-powered attack submarine, at least six refurbished Kilo class submarines and 1500-kilometer-range Caliber cruise missiles. Both the timing and strategy of this offer are important, as India’s conventional submarine capability is now on the verge of “block obsolescence” i.e. mass obsolescence. That is, they are becoming old. India currently has 17 conventional submarines, two-thirds of which were purchased in the 1980s and now these submarines are getting old. Their service life is ending. Therefore, India now needs new submarines. The Chakra News report claims that India is currently working on Project 75I, under which new submarines are to be included in the Indian Navy, but it will take at least 10 more years for the first submarine under this project to join service. On the other hand, Pakistan and China are rapidly increasing their capabilities to fight under the sea. Pakistan is going to get the first 039B Yuan class submarine made in China this year, while China is running the largest submarine construction program in the world since the Cold War. China is working towards handing over at least 4 to 6 nuclear submarines to its navy every year.
What are the benefits to India from Russia’s proposal?
Russia has been India’s largest defence equipment supplier for the past five decades. Even today, 60% of India’s military assets are of Russian origin, including T-72 and T-90 tanks, Kilo class submarines, and most importantly SU-30MKI fighter jets. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which India recently used to attack Pakistani airbases during Operation Sindoor, is a joint project of Russia and India. Although in the last few years India has reduced its dependence on Russia alone and started buying weapons from countries like Israel, South Korea, Germany, France and the US, Russia still remains India’s largest defence partner.
Seven of India’s current submarines are of the Russian Kilo class. The Chakra News report claims that Russia had earlier also proposed to upgrade these old platforms and resell them to India, but now that these discussions are taking place at the inter-governmental level, it becomes clear that Russia wants to strengthen its hold in India’s defence market again. This move is also an attempt to balance the growing influence of competitors like America, France and Germany. Especially after the way Western countries have ‘betrayed’ India during Operation Sindoor, India is reconsidering the intentions and attitude of Western countries.
Russian President’s visit to India is very important
Putin’s visit will be his first visit to India after the Russia-Ukraine war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow on his first bilateral visit after becoming PM for the third time in July 2024 last year. There he participated in the 22nd India-Russia dialogue. Now, ahead of the 23rd dialogue, Russia is making proposals to India in areas where the US cannot compete, such as nuclear submarines, long-range cruise missiles and S-500 air defense systems. The US has neither sold nor rented its nuclear submarine to any country till date. Apart from this, the US has also given its Tomahawk missile only to Britain. In such a situation, Russia remains the only most reliable option for India. The 1500 km range Caliber land-attack cruise missile is considered a major strategic offer from Russia.
Earlier, Russia had only given India the 500 km range variant, which India is using in INS Chakra III. Russia is now proposing that Indian Kilo class submarines be upgraded to enable them to fire missiles from all six torpedo tubes. Currently, India has only two such tubes. This upgrade will make Indian submarines much more effective in terms of ‘standoff strike’. Russia’s new proposal also includes the sale of six refurbished Kilo class submarines. All these will be old Russian naval platforms, which will be upgraded and handed over to India one by one year over the next six years. This move will help the Indian Navy fill the gap until the Project 75I submarines arrive. India has already shortlisted a partnership of Mazagon Dock Limited and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for this project. Its cost is said to be around ₹ 43,000 crore.
Apart from this, Russia’s offer to lease a second Akula class nuclear-powered submarine is of great strategic importance. It will complement the INS Chakra III, which India is leasing for 10 years from 2028 for $3 billion. The specialty of the Akula class is that it can remain silent underwater for several days. Although it is powered by a nuclear reactor, it carries conventional weapons. This submarine can provide an interim solution to India’s future Project 77 nuclear submarine plans until they come to fruition.
