India is considering a proposal by Russia to supply the Indian navy with three refurbished submarines, capable of launching cruise missiles.
The Indian Navy is considering the proposal made by a Russian shipbuilding company to provide India with three refurbished 'Kilo' class diesel-electric submarines, local media reported.
The company — JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) —offered a $1.8-2 billion “three plus three” package, which also includes upgrade work on India’s existing Kilo fleet of three.
The submarines on offer are reportedly about 30 years old.
An agreement was expected to be formalized at a meeting of Russian and Indian officials in Goa in March, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Over the past two decades, India and Russia have worked to upgrade the Indian Navy submarines — the "youngest'"of which was delivered by Russia back in 2000.
The proposed upgrade work will now extend the operational life of these vessels to 35 years.
The submarines, which run on batteries under water, are the most important class of underwater vessel in the Indian Navy.
According to a naval expert, these Russian submarines “are equipped with the Russian supplied 3M-14E Club-S missile which is roughly similar to the American Tomahawk.”
Your Comment