India Signs $3-Billion Deal With Russia to Get Akula Class Nuclear Submarine, Chakra-III on Lease

India on Thursday signed a $3 billion deal with Russia to get lease of another nuclear attack submarine. The Akula 2 class submarine – Chakra-III will be customised and fitted with indigenous communications systems and sensors. The vessel will be ready by 2025. Chakra-III  is a nuclear attack submarine powered by a nuclear reactor but will armed with conventional weapons. The ship is currently mothballed at a Russian naval shipyard in Severodvinsk. Indian Government Signs Contract with Goa Shipyard Ltd For Construction of Two ‘Project 1135.6’ Frigates For Indian Navy.

It is the second biggest deal with Russia after $5.5 billion contract to procure S-400 advanced air defence system which was finalised in October 2018. In 1988, the Indian Navy inducted a Project 670 Skat-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine which was rechristened as INS Chakra on a three-year lease. While, in 2012, a second INS Chakra, the retrofitted K-152 Project 971 Akula-class Nerpa, was leased for 10 years. The Chakra-II is currently serving with the Eastern Naval Command. India is also planning to extend the lease of Chakra-II another five years to 2027. The discussions are going on with Russia to extend the lease. Indian Navy Inducts Third Ship of LCU Mk-IV Class at Port Blair.

Last in October, India also signed a $500 million contract to build two stealth frigates in Goa that are expected to be delivered by 2027. The deal came just weeks after the two countries inked a $950 million deal to import two other such warships from Russia. The Follow-on P 1135.6 series of frigates, customised to meet the Indian Navy’s specific requirements, are potent platforms, with a mission span covering the entire spectrum of Naval warfare; Air, Surface and Sub-surface.