India Mulls Leasing Russian Shchuka Class Nuclear Submarine

India is seeking to lease a Russian K-322 Kashalot (sperm whale), Project 971 Shchuka-B class nuclear submarine; Russia and India Report (rbth) reported Tuesday.

The report says if the parties sign an agreement before end of 2015, the ship will be delivered to India by 2018.

The Indian MoD is thinking of leasing the sub for a period of ten years. Manohar Parrikar, Defense Minister of India in December 2014 has said, “the ministry is considering either extending the lease on the Chakra K-152 “Nepra” Class Project 971 submarine or renting a second ship of this project – the “Shchuka-B”.

The news agency further reported that the submarine will be modernized based on the requirements of the Indian Navy. The time to modernize Kashalot including the training of the Indian Crew will take about three years.

Indian Navy currently leases a Russian built Shchuka-B class Chakra submarine. The lease agreement worth $980 million was signed in 2004 and is for a period of ten years.  The delivery got delayed and it was assumed to receive the sub in 2008.