SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s naval capabilities, Russia is set to deliver a leased Akula-class nuclear attack submarine to the Indian Navy by 2028, according to a report by veteran journalist Sandeep Unnithan for ChakranewZ. The delivery, originally scheduled for 2025, has been delayed due to logistical and technical challenges. This submarine, part of a $3 billion deal signed between India and Russia in 2019, will bolster India’s underwater warfare capabilities in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region, where security challenges are intensifying.
The Akula-class submarine, tentatively referred to as a successor to the INS Chakra, is intended to replace the previous nuclear-powered submarine leased from Russia between 2012 and 2022. The INS Chakra, also an Akula-class vessel, served as a critical asset for the Indian Navy, enhancing its operational expertise in handling nuclear-powered submarines.
To compensate for the delay in delivery, Russia has offered to equip the leased submarine with an advanced variant of the Kalibr missile family, specifically the 3M14K (SS-N-30A) cruise missile. This is a significant upgrade over the originally planned 3M54K missile, which had a range of 500-600 km. The 3M14K, part of the export model known as Club (formerly Klub), boasts an extended range of 1,500-2,000 km, enabling the Indian Navy to conduct long-range precision strikes from underwater.
The Kalibr missile family, which includes both ship-launched and submarine-launched variants, has proven its effectiveness in various conflicts, offering versatility for land-attack and anti-ship missions. The inclusion of the 3M14K missile will significantly enhance the submarine’s strategic reach, allowing it to target distant adversaries with greater precision and lethality. This upgrade aligns with India’s broader efforts to modernize its naval arsenal and maintain a credible deterrence posture.
The Akula-class submarines, known for their stealth and versatility, are among the most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarines in the world. Equipped with a formidable array of weaponry, including torpedoes and cruise missiles, these submarines are designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and long-range strike missions. For India, the acquisition of this submarine is a critical step in strengthening its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in response to China’s growing maritime assertiveness and the expansion of its submarine fleet.
The Indian Navy’s underwater capabilities are currently a mix of conventional diesel-electric submarines, such as the Scorpene-class, and a two nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant. The addition of the Akula-class submarine will provide a significant boost to India’s ability to project power and maintain deterrence in the region.
The delay in the submarine’s delivery, now pushed to 2028, highlights the complexities involved in the transfer of high-tech military platforms. While the ChakranewZ report does not specify the reasons for the delay, such setbacks are often attributed to technical challenges, supply chain disruptions, or geopolitical considerations. Russia’s ongoing commitments, including its domestic defense requirements and international obligations, may also have contributed to the revised timeline.
Despite the delay, the upgraded missile system and the continued partnership with Russia reflect a pragmatic approach to addressing India’s security needs. The Indian Navy has been actively working to bridge the capability gap through indigenous submarine programs, such as Project 75 and Project 75I, but the Akula-class submarine will provide an immediate and potent addition to its fleet.
The lease of the Akula-class submarine is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance its maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, a region that has emerged as a geopolitical hotspot. With China’s expanding naval presence and its growing submarine fleet, India is prioritizing the development of a robust underwater force to safeguard its interests, including critical sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.