The Written Wilds

India is preparing to lease another nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia, a move that underscores New Delhi’s long-term effort to strengthen its underwater capabilities and widen its strategic reach in the Indian Ocean region. The negotiations come at a time when global naval competition is intensifying and Russia seeks to expand military partnerships amid its ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to Russian state defense officials, discussions are underway for India to acquire a new generation Yasen-M–class nuclear submarine on a long-term lease. If finalized, the deal would represent one of the most significant defense transactions between the two countries in recent years, extending a partnership rooted in decades of cooperation.

A Long-Standing Defense Relationship

India previously leased two Russian nuclear submarines — both older Akula-class vessels — to bolster its fleet and provide training for its navy. The most recent submarine, known in Indian service as the INS Chakra II, was returned to Russia in 2021 after a ten-year lease.

These earlier agreements played a major role in helping Indian crews develop the technical skills required to operate nuclear-powered vessels. Today, India remains one of the few countries outside the original nuclear powers to operate such platforms.

This new lease, however, marks a different chapter:
The Yasen-M class represents Russia’s most modern nuclear attack submarine design, incorporating advanced sensors, improved stealth, and the ability to launch both cruise and anti-ship missiles.

Why India Wants a New Nuclear Submarine

India’s strategic priorities have shifted in recent years. With rising maritime competition in the Indo-Pacific and China’s increasingly assertive naval presence, New Delhi has accelerated efforts to expand its submarine capabilities.

A leased Russian submarine offers India:

• Extended underwater endurance, critical for long-range patrols
• Enhanced deterrence in contested waters
• A stopgap capability while India continues to build its own nuclear submarine fleet
• Operational experience with modern systems that influence its future designs

For India, the timing is deliberate. As tensions grow from the Red Sea to the South China Sea, underwater dominance is becoming as important as surface fleets.

What Russia Gains From the Deal

Despite facing significant sanctions and isolation from Western markets, Russia continues to view India as one of its most reliable defense partners. The potential lease allows Moscow to:

• Secure long-term defense revenue
• Maintain influence in one of Asia’s largest military markets
• Reinforce strategic ties amid shifting global alliances
• Signal that Russian military exports remain active despite wartime constraints

At the same time, Russia’s willingness to lease a high-end submarine suggests it is seeking deeper interoperability with India, even as New Delhi increasingly diversifies its defense partnerships with the United States, France, and Japan.

Geopolitical Ripples Across the Indo-Pacific

The possible submarine lease adds another layer to India’s growing role in regional security architecture. The deal comes as:

• China expands its own nuclear submarine fleet
• Pakistan continues building Chinese-backed naval assets
• The United States strengthens defense ties with India through QUAD cooperation
• Europe increases its Indo-Pacific presence, especially in maritime monitoring

For countries watching from the sidelines, India’s move signals intent:
Its navy aims to remain a dominant force in the Indian Ocean and a key player in broader Indo-Pacific stability.

Challenges and Unknowns Ahead

While the discussions are progressing, several questions remain:

• How quickly can Russia deliver a submarine while its own navy faces wartime demands?
• Will India seek modifications to the submarine’s weapons systems?
• Could the deal face delays from supply-chain issues triggered by sanctions?
• How will China interpret India’s deeper cooperation with Moscow at a sensitive moment in global politics?

For now, both governments appear committed to the framework — and the strategic motivations on both sides are clear.

A Strategic Bet on the Future

The leasing of a new nuclear submarine would reinforce India’s long-term naval strategy and highlight Russia’s determination to maintain its influence in Asia. For New Delhi, it strengthens deterrence and enhances readiness for a region undergoing rapid military transformation. For Moscow, it offers financial support and geopolitical leverage during a time of deep international isolation.

If finalized, the agreement would reshape India’s underwater capabilities for the next decade — and add a new dimension to the evolving balance of naval power in the Indo-Pacific.