SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy’s long-awaited Akula-class nuclear attack submarine, to be named INS Chakra III, is now anticipated to join the fleet by 2028, as per recent reports. This delivery marks a three-year delay from the initially scheduled 2025 timeline, agreed upon under a 2019 contract between India and Russia. This $3 billion deal, signed after two years of negotiations, outlined the leasing of the Akula-1 class submarine for a period of ten years, providing the Indian Navy with a critical boost in its underwater capabilities.
The arrival of INS Chakra III is set to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine capabilities, adding to India’s existing underwater fleet and strengthening its maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) like the Akula class are crucial for extended operations at sea due to their high speed, longer endurance, and ability to remain submerged for extended periods, which is advantageous over conventional diesel-electric submarines. As an SSN, INS Chakra III will not carry nuclear weapons but will provide India with a potent conventional attack capability, designed to track and counter enemy ships and submarines.
The Akula class submarines, known for their stealth, endurance, and advanced sonar systems, were first leased to India by Russia in 1988 with the INS Chakra I, followed by the INS Chakra II in 2012. Both previous submarines enhanced the Indian Navy’s expertise in operating nuclear submarines and allowed for technological transfer and training that would aid India in developing its indigenous nuclear submarine fleet, notably the Arihant class SSBNs (ballistic missile submarines).
INS Chakra III, unlike its predecessors, is expected to include upgraded systems and technology compared to earlier Akula class submarines. This will provide enhanced operational capabilities, stealth, and firepower, making it an indispensable asset for the Indian Navy in projecting power and ensuring security in the region.
The delay in delivery to 2028 is believed to stem from several factors, including challenges arising from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has affected Russia’s defense production timelines and resources. The situation has reportedly impacted the Russian defense industry’s capability to fulfill international orders, including other defense procurements for India. Furthermore, refurbishing and customizing the Akula class submarine to meet Indian specifications involves extensive modernization work, which has likely added to the delay.
While the delay in delivery is a setback, INS Chakra III will nonetheless offer strategic advantages upon its induction. The submarine will enable India to maintain a credible underwater deterrence capability, especially critical given the increasing presence of other regional naval powers in the IOR. The INS Chakra III will also allow the Indian Navy to conduct extended reconnaissance, escort operations, and anti-submarine warfare missions without the need to surface frequently, thus maintaining a stealth advantage.