Russia to lease nuclear attack submarine to India – Bloomberg

India will lease a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia under a deal worth around $2 billion, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The sides have already reached an agreement, and Indian officials visited a Russian shipyard in November, the report said. India expects to receive the vessel within two years, though the project’s complexity could push the timeline back.

The submarine, larger than India’s existing nuclear attack subs, will be used solely for training. Under the lease terms, the Russian-built vessel cannot be deployed in combat. New Delhi plans to use it to train crews and refine nuclear submarine operations as it builds its own fleet.

According to Bloomberg News, India is currently constructing two nuclear-powered attack submarines.

India previously leased the submarine Nerpa from Russia; it was returned in 2021 after a 10-year lease that began in 2012.