India is poised to sign a major defence agreement with Russia worth nearly $2 billion, involving the lease of a nuclear-powered attack submarine, according to a Bloomberg report. The deal is expected to be concluded during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi, marking a significant step forward in long-running defence negotiations between the two nations.
Strategic Diplomatic Timing
President Putin will be visiting India later this week—his first visit since the escalation of the Russia–Ukraine conflict. During bilateral talks, he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to focus on deepening cooperation across defence, energy, and emerging geopolitical priorities.
Years of Negotiations Reach Breakthrough
Discussions on leasing a submarine have been underway for almost a decade and were delayed multiple times due to disagreements over cost and terms. The breakthrough reportedly came after Indian naval and defence officials inspected a Russian shipyard in November.
India expects the submarine to be delivered within two years, though final timelines could shift given the complexity of the platform and required modifications.
Lease Terms and Operational Role
As part of the agreement, the attack submarine will not be deployed in active combat. Instead, its primary purpose will be to support training programs and operational readiness while India continues building capacity in nuclear submarine technology under its domestic programme.
The lease will be valid for ten years, aligning with India’s previous nuclear submarine arrangement with Russia. The earlier leased vessel operated under a similar term and was returned to Russia in 2021. Maintenance and technical support clauses are expected to be included under the new agreement as well.
Summary
India is set to finalise a $2 billion agreement with Russia to lease a nuclear-powered submarine during President Vladimir Putin’s visit. The vessel—expected to arrive in approximately two years—will be used for training and operational preparedness rather than combat deployment. The arrangement strengthens defence ties between India and Russia and supports India’s ongoing efforts to expand its naval nuclear capabilities.
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