India is in final talks with Russia to lease a newly built, customised submarine, unlike in the past when older vessels were refurbished and handed over. The talks on leasing a new submarine under the ‘Chakra 3’ project are in advanced stages. The issue will be discussed and finalized during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Russia.
Previous Leases
- India has the ‘Chakra 2’ Akula class nuclear submarine. This submarine – a refurbished Soviet era boat – has been taken on a 10-year lease from Russia in 2012. It is considered to be one of the deadliest non-US attack boats in the world.
- ‘Chakra 1’, India’s first nuclear submarine, was taken on a similar lease in the late 1980s.
The Modi Government is insisting on leasing the newly built submarine rather than the old ones. The only nuclear attack submarine of this kind being produced in Russia currently is the Yasen class, the quietest, least detectable submarine it has ever built.
Tidbits
- India is embarking on a project to produce indigenous class of nuclear attack boats (SSNs) under new submarine programme.
- The plan, to build at least six SSNs in India, was given financial sanction in February and designers are already at work on the project that could cost upwards of Rs 90,000 crore.
- The new submarines are to be built at the Vizag-based ship building centre, with L&T expected to get a significant chunk of the work.
GK Question
- Who is recognized as the Father of Submarine? Cornelis Jacobszoon Drebbe
- Who is recognized as the Father of Modern Submarine? John Holland
