India and Russia have begun discussions for the lease of a third Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine. Discussions are at a very preliminary stage but India is aware of the “submarine gap” in the 2020s, particularly in the later years. One possibility is to lease another Akula-class submarine from Russia.
India already has one nuclear-powered submarine, the Chakra, leased from Russia. It came in 2012. India is also expected to lease a second submarine of the Akula-class but an official announcement has not been made yet. Highly-placed sources confirmed that discussions have begun for a third, keeping in mind the projected shortage of submarines. By the late 2020s, the nine Russian-built Sindhughosh class submarines would be about 40 years old and on their last legs, despite their refit, happening now. That would only leave the four HDW Germany-designed submarines, which are just as old and hopefully, the six Scorpene submarines — and most of them are yet to join service. Read More…
