India Likely To Buy Two Russian Kilo-Class Submarines

India's Defense Minister is considering discussing with Russia for the possible purchase of two diesel-powered submarines during his upcoming visit to Russia.

Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar will be visiting Russia on Friday and has plans of discussing the purchase of two Russian Kilo-class diesel-powered attack submarines of the Project 877 Paltus model, the Tehelka India’s news magazine reported today.

Russia's Project 877EKM is the export version of the Kilo-class submarine series. Till now Russia has delivered 18 submarines have been delivered to India, Iran, China, Poland, Romania and Algeria.

Presently India is operating nine Sindhughosh-class submarines, excluding the one which it lost in a major explosion at the Mumbai harbour in 2013.

As India is struggling with exhausting underwater fleet, Russia is offering the two submarines as a quick option to fill gaps as St Petersburg already possesses advanced Kilo Class submarines, which are under production for the Russian Navy as well as for Vietnam order.