In a significant step toward enhancing India’s naval firepower, Russia is set to deliver a leased Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine to the Indian Navy by 2028, according ti a report by jounralist Sandeep Unnithan for ChakranewZ. The submarine, part of a $3 billion intergovernmental deal signed in 2019, was originally scheduled for delivery in 2025 but has been delayed due to logistical and technical challenges.
The vessel, expected to succeed the now-retired INS Chakra—which was leased from Russia between 2012 and 2022—will bolster India’s underwater warfare capabilities at a time when strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific is intensifying. The upgraded submarine will now be equipped with the advanced 3M14K Kalibr (SS-N-30A) cruise missile, offering a dramatic improvement in strike range from the previously planned 500–600 km variant to a range of 1,500–2,000 km.
The inclusion of the 3M14K missile variant, part of the export-oriented Club missile family, significantly enhances the submarine’s ability to conduct long-range precision strikes from underwater, targeting both land and sea-based threats with greater lethality. This aligns with India’s broader push to modernize its naval arsenal and sustain a credible regional deterrence posture.
Akula-class submarines are among the most advanced nuclear attack submarines globally, known for their stealth, speed, and versatility. Armed with torpedoes and cruise missiles, they are built for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface operations, and deep strike missions. The new platform will complement India’s current underwater fleet, which includes conventional Scorpene-class submarines and two indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, including the INS Arihant.
While the report did not cite specific causes for the delay, it notes that such postponements often stem from technical challenges, global supply chain disruptions, or geopolitical constraints. Russia’s ongoing defense production demands and international military commitments may also have contributed to the revised delivery timeline.
The acquisition is viewed as a critical element of India’s maritime strategy in response to China’s expanding naval footprint and assertiveness across the Indo-Pacific region.
