Russia Comes Forward For India Again: Putin Offers 3 Upgraded Submarines Instead of 1 –What’s Really Behind The Deal? | World News
New Delhi: Russia has come forward to increase India’s underwater capabilities and naval power. Moscow has offered three refurbished Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines to New Delhi. Defense sources say the deal is worth less than $1 billion. It is intended to be a temporary solution to the Navy’s decreasing number of submarines.
This proposal comes on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi in the first week of December. The President had promised to lease a nuclear-powered Akula-class attack submarine to India by 2028.
Now Russia has presented a conventional alternative ready for immediate use, consisting of three fully upgraded Kilo-class submarines from the Russian Navy’s reserve reserve.
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Major Modernization Planned
According to defense sources, with comprehensive modernization, the service life of these submarines will be extended by 20 years. The estimated cost of each ship is under $300 million. The package is considered a cost-effective solution to maintain India’s naval power, especially considering that the fleet may face a significant shortage by the mid-2030s.
Compatible with Modern Warfare Standards
These submarines will be renewed to meet modern combat requirements. Significant improvements include the integration of the Klub-S missile system (export version of the Kalibr), which can be launched from torpedo tubes and hit land and anti-ship targets at a range of 220-300 km.
6 Submarines to 3
The repair package promises advanced features such as low-observable stealth coatings, automatic periscope systems and modern lithium-ion batteries for greater durability. This offer is a scaled-back version of a previous offer made in July 2025, which proposed a six-submarine deal.
It has now been reduced to three submarines to meet India’s immediate financial and operational needs.
Current Status of Indian Submarine Fleet
India’s submarine fleet currently relies on obsolete platforms. By the end of 2025, the conventional fleet consists of 16 ships; seven Russian Sindhughosh-class (Kilo), four German HDW Shishumar-class and six French-designed Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines.
One to One Replacement
Kilo-class submarines purchased between 1986 and 2000 face age-related challenges. Although they are effective especially at strategic points such as the Strait of Malacca, their operational availability is limited due to maintenance needs.
Between 2017 and 2022, three Kilo-class submarines (INS Sindhu Rakshak, Sindhuvir and Sindhudhwaj) were retired. Russia’s new offer effectively provides a one-to-one replacement for these decommissioned ships, ensuring that the number of fleets does not decrease.
This agreement represents a significant step towards enhancing India’s underwater capabilities and strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
