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Flowing from December 2018 reports it is likely several Indian entities will eventually agree to lease another Russian SSN. Indian entities would include the Indian Navy, Ministers of Defence and Finance and maybe Indian Department of Atomic Energy? all cleared by Indian Prime Minister Modi?). Leased would be anotherimproved Akula (aka Project 971) SSN (in Russia “multi-purpose”) nuclear submarine from Russia.
The agreement would be with all the Russian opposite numbers as well as Russia’s weapon export agency Rosoboronexport. This new leased Akula is expected to be operational in time (2022?) to replace India’s currently leased Akula (known as Chakra II (was Russian Nerpa).
India's lease history is:
- Chakra I (a Russian Charlie-class) in 1988 till 1991,
- Chakra II in December 2011, notionally till 2021 or 2022,
- new lease would be another Akula, named "Chakra III"? from 2022?
In late November - early December 2018 the Indian Navy inspected and discussed leasing terms for one of two Akulas, namely:
- “Bratsk” (commissioned 1989 into the Russian Navy), and
- “Samara” (commissioned 1995 into the Russian Navy).
Right-click mouse to translate Russian article indicating both Bratsk and Samara were transferred in 2014 to Russia’s Northern Fleet repair and base complex for overhaul and deep modernization. Also see interesting Akula specification towards the end of that Russian article.
Bratsk and Samara's 4 year overhaul 2014-2018 is a long time. So it is unclear how far “overhaul [including derusting water tanks and refueling the OK-650M reactor] and deep modernization” has actually progressed.
A figure of US$3.3 billion ((Rs 23,000 crore = 230,000,000,000 Indian rupees). has been discussed. But it is unclear what that figure includes (eg. just major repairs to bring one of these old Akula’s up to delivery to India status or covering the whole 10 year lease cost)?
India’s naval chief Admiral Sunil Lanba also reportedly discussedan apparent linkagebetween the new Akula lease with the construction in India of [what would be 6 x AIP Amurs under Indian Project 75(I)] SSKs.
PETE COMMENTS
Some might claim that India leasing yet another Russian SSN is a step backward from India concentrating on developing Indian built SSNs.
However a new Akula lease would benefit India’s long term build 6 SSNs project. Indian technicians and engineers should be able to examine what upgrades Russia is making to Bratsk or the Samara while they are being upgraded. Indian technical observations can be transferred officially or unofficially to India’s current SSBN and future SSN projects.
Bratsk or the Samara should include many modernised features not present in India’s current Chakra II. The features may include improved data processing, more effective sensors and more potent weapons interface (maybe greater ability to deliver anti-ship, ASW and land attack missiles?).
While India has not developed its own SSNs it is important to protect Arihant-class SSBNs with one or two of its leased Akula SSNs. Perhaps Indian SSBNs from now on might predictably leave or enter Fleet Base East, Vishakhapatnam, on deterrent patrols. In those cases SSBNs particularly need Indian SSNs to patrol against waiting Chinese SSKs, Bangladeshi SSKs and particularly Chinese SSNs.
FURTHER READING
Additional liaison agreement details from Russia https://sputniknews.com/military/201812051070410027-india-lease-nuke-submarine-russia/
Pete