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Lethe

Lethe

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India will pay about $2 billion to lease a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia, according to people familiar with the matter, finalizing delivery of the vessel after roughly a decade of talks just as President Vladimir Putin makes a visit to New Delhi.

Talks for leasing the attack submarine from Russia had stalled over the years because of price negotiations, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private. The two sides have now agreed on the deal, with Indian officials visiting a Russian shipyard in November, they said. India expects to take delivery of the vessel within two years, although the complexity of the project means it could be later, they said.

The government clarified in a social media post Thursday that the contract was signed in March 2019. Delivery had been delayed, and the vessel was now scheduled to arrive in 2028.

Putin arrived in India on Thursday for his first visit to the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In their meeting, Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will underscore defense and energy ties between the two countries.

Ahead of Putin’s visit, India’s Chief of Naval Staff Dinesh K. Tripathi told reporters this week that the commissioning of the attack submarine would be expected soon, without providing details. The submarine would be larger than the two already part of the navy’s fleet.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence didn’t respond to emails seeking further information. Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Defence and Rosoboronexport also didn’t respond to requests for comment.
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There was some controversy with this story, with India's Press Information Bureau at pains to
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that the contract being referred to was signed in 2019. Delhi likely sought to clarify this owing to diplomatic sensitives surrounding the Ukraine conflict. India proceeding with and Russia fulfilling a contract signed in 2019 carries different symbolism, in terms of diplomatic relations with the west, than a new major undertaking would. Nonetheless, Bloomberg is probably substantially correct in its reporting, i.e. that there have recently been significant developments in relation to the details, execution and payment of that contract.

Bloomberg does seem to be confused on another point. The comments from CNS Adm. Tripathi refer not to this future leased submarine from Russia, but the imminent commissioning of India's third indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, INS Aridhaman (S4). In the medium-term, India's nuclear-powered submarine inventory will grow from two boats today to five: four Arihant-class boats and the leased Russian boat.

Does anyone know which Pr. 971 boat is intended for India?
 
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