Key Points and Summary – To counter the growing naval power of China and Pakistan, India has adopted a unique strategy of leasing advanced Russian nuclear and purchasing diesel-electric submarines.
-This approach, which began during the Cold War, gives the Indian Navy critical operational experience and a formidable undersea deterrent while it develops its own indigenous fleet, such as the Arihant-class ballistic missile submarines.
-By operating potent Russian platforms like the Akula-class hunter-killer and the quiet Kilo-class, India bridges a crucial capability gap, gaining invaluable technical expertise and maintaining a strategic edge in the increasingly contested Indian Ocean.
India Loves Russian Submarines for a Reason
In recent times, India has been attempting to boost its indigenous naval production to lower its reliance on other nations for arms supplies.
Currently, India maintains a submarine force that comprises domestically produced submarines of various national origins.
The Soviet Union and later Russia have played a part in supplying the Indian Navy, with Russia supplying several Kilo-class subs and an upcoming Akula-class nuclear sub.
These subs are seen as a necessary stopgap while India increases its submarine production.
Soviet-Indian Relations in the Cold War
The origins of India’s nuclear submarine program can be traced back to the Cold War era, when the Soviet Union emerged as India’s primary defense partner. In 1988, India became the first country to lease a nuclear-powered submarine from another nation when it acquired the Project 670 submarine K-43 from the USSR.
Renamed INS Chakra, this submarine was leased for training purposes and was not intended for combat. Nevertheless, it marked a significant milestone in India’s naval history. The experience gained from operating this submarine laid the groundwork for India’s indigenous nuclear submarine program, known as Project S, which eventually led to the development of the Arihant-class submarines.
India’s nuclear doctrine is based on a No First Use policy and a credible minimum deterrent. A critical component of this deterrent is the nuclear triad, the ability to deliver nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea. While India has developed land-based missiles and air-delivered nuclear weapons, the sea-based leg of the triad has been the most challenging to establish.
Nuclear-powered submarines, particularly those capable of launching ballistic missiles (SSBNs), are essential for a secure second-strike capability. These submarines can remain submerged for extended periods, making them less vulnerable to detection and preemptive strikes.
Acquiring Russian submarines such as the Kilo and Akula-class, which was inducted in 2012, and the, provides India with operational experience and a stopgap capability while its indigenous fleet continues to develop.
Why Russian Subs Benefit India
One of the primary benefits of leasing nuclear submarines from Russia is the opportunity for technological transfer and training.
Indian naval personnel receive hands-on experience in operating complex nuclear- and diesel-powered platforms, which is invaluable for the development and operation of India’s own submarines.
These leases also allow India to integrate its own systems, such as sonar and communication suites, into foreign platforms, thereby enhancing interoperability and technical expertise. For example, Indian engineers and sailors were trained in Russia as part of the lease agreements, gaining critical insights into the logistics, maintenance, and operational nuances of nuclear submarines.
India’s indigenous nuclear submarine program, while progressing steadily, is still in its early stages. The Arihant-class submarines are primarily SSBNs designed for strategic deterrence rather than tactical operations.
India currently lacks operational nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), which are essential for tracking enemy submarines and surface ships, protecting SSBNs during patrols, and projecting power in the Indian Ocean and beyond. Leasing Akula-class SSNs from Russia helps bridge this capability gap. These submarines are known for their speed, deep-diving capabilities, and advanced sonar and weapon systems, making them ideal for hunter-killer roles.
Reinforcing India’s Naval Deterrent
India’s maritime strategy is increasingly influenced by the growing presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean Region. China has deployed submarines, including nuclear-powered ones, to the region under the pretext of anti-piracy operations. This development has raised concerns in New Delhi, prompting a need for enhanced undersea capabilities. Leased Russian submarines enable India to monitor and deter Chinese naval activity, maintain undersea dominance in its strategic backyard, and counter Pakistan’s naval modernization efforts, which China supports.
Leasing nuclear submarines is also a cost-effective and strategically flexible option for India. Building such submarines indigenously is an expensive and time-consuming process. Leasing provides India with operational platforms without the full financial and temporal burden of construction.
For instance, the lease of INS Chakra II in 2012 cost around $900 million for a ten-year period. The 2019 agreement for INS Chakra III was valued at approximately $3 billion, which includes upgrades and the integration of Indian systems.
These deals allow India to test and evaluate technologies before incorporating them into its own designs, thereby reducing risks and accelerating capability development.
Straddling a Geopolitical Tightrope
India’s reliance on foreign subs also serves to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Russia. Despite India’s growing defense ties with the United States and other Western nations, Russia remains a key defense partner.
The leasing of nuclear submarines, which involves sensitive nuclear propulsion technology, is a testament to the deep trust between the two countries. Russia is the only country that has leased nuclear submarines to another nation, underscoring the unique nature of its relationship with India.
This cooperation extends beyond leasing to include joint development of defense systems, support for India’s indigenous submarine program, and infrastructure development, such as the expansion of the Visakhapatnam naval base for nuclear submarine operations.
Ultimately, India’s leasing strategy is a means to an end, the development of a self-reliant nuclear submarine fleet. The experience gained from operating leased submarines has directly contributed to the commissioning of INS Arihant and INS Arighat, the design of future SSBNs and SSNs, and the development of indigenous sonar, control, and propulsion systems.
India is also pursuing a classified program to build six nuclear attack submarines, which will further enhance its undersea warfare capabilities.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
The Best Tanks on Earth
AbramsX: The Tank the US Army Wants
