'Misleading': Centre refutes new $2bn submarine deal with Russia
What's the story
The government has dismissed a Bloomberg report that claimed India has clinched a fresh $2 billion submarine deal with Russia, calling the report "misleading." According to the PIB Fact Check, no new deal has been signed between India and Russia and the submarine lease is based on an old contract that was signed in March 2019. "There has been a delay in the delivery, and the new delivery is scheduled for 2028," it wrote on X.
Strategic advantage
Nuclear submarine to enhance India's maritime capabilities
The Bloomberg report claimed the agreement came after nearly 10 years of negotiations and that Indian officials had visited a Russian shipyard in November. India expects delivery of the vessel within two years, though the project's complexity may cause delays, the sources said. The vessel will be larger than two existing submarines in the Indian Navy's fleet. India's Chief of Naval Staff Dinesh Tripathi earlier told reporters that the attack submarine would be commissioned soon but did not provide details.
Lease details
Submarine lease terms and training benefits
Under the lease terms, the Russian attack submarine cannot be used in war. Instead, it will help India train sailors and refine nuclear-boat operations as it builds its own vessels. The leased vessel will be with India's Navy for 10 years, with maintenance included in the contract. This development comes as Australia partners with the UK and US to build similar boats under the AUKUS security partnership.
Defense diversification
India currently operates 17 diesel-powered submarinesÂ
Only a few countries, like the US, UK, France, China, and Russia, have possessed the technology to build and use nuclear-powered submarines until now. Nuclear-powered vessels are far superior to diesel-electric competitors. They are often larger, can stay underwater for much longer, and are quieter, making them difficult to track, particularly while patrolling the wide expanses of the Indian and Pacific oceans. The Nuclear Threat Initiative reported that India currently operates 17 diesel-powered submarines.