Top 7 things about India-Russia's nuclear submarine agreement
Officials clarified that the submarine mentioned in speculative reports is the same platform covered under a 2019 lease agreement.
1. Viral Reports Claimed a New $2-Billion Nuclear Submarine Deal
Several media posts on Thursday suggested that India had signed a fresh $2-billion agreement with Russia to lease a nuclear-powered attack submarine. The claims linked the alleged deal directly to Vladimir Putin’s ongoing visit to New Delhi, portraying it as a major new defence acquisition.
2. Government Calls the Report “Misleading,” Confirms No New Contract
The Ministry of Defence quickly dismissed these reports. In a formal statement shared with media, the government said the claim of a new submarine deal was “misleading” and not based on any official announcement or agreement. There is no newly signed contract between India and Russia for a submarine during Putin's visit.
3. The Story Actually Refers to an Older 2019 Lease Agreement
Officials clarified that the submarine mentioned in speculative reports is the same platform covered under a 2019 lease agreement. That agreement, signed more than five years ago, committed Russia to lease a nuclear-powered attack submarine to India for a 10-year period. This older contract continues unchanged.
4. Delivery Under the 2019 Contract Has Been Delayed
The submarine originally expected much earlier has not been delivered. According to the government's latest clarification, induction will now take place only by 2028, following delays in the Russian production schedule. This means no submarine has been handed over to India in 2025.
5. Speculation About “Chakra-III” or Akula Class Remains Unconfirmed
While earlier reports had indicated that the leased submarine under the 2019 deal would be an upgraded Akula-class SSN, the government has made no fresh technical disclosures. Until handover, the platform’s exact configuration or class remains unverified in the public domain.
6. No Change in India–Russia Naval Cooperation Framework
The clarification signals that India’s naval cooperation with Russia remains based on existing agreements, not new ones signed during the summit. The submarine-lease arrangement continues under the long-standing model established by earlier INS Chakra leases, but without any new commitments in 2025.
7. Bottom Line: No New Submarine, No New Money, No New Deal
The government’s position is now explicit: India has not signed a new multi-billion-dollar submarine contract with Russia. The only submarine under discussion is the one already covered by the 2019 lease, whose delivery has simply been rescheduled. Any reports suggesting otherwise are incorrect.
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