India Considering Leasing Second Russian Nuclear Submarine: Reports

MOSCOW, December 17 (Sputnik) — The Indian Navy is considering leasing a second Akula-class nuclear-powered submarine from Russia, The Hindu reported.

According to the media outlet, the possibility of the lease was indicated by India's Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, in a meeting with journalists following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India last week.

In 2012, India began a 10-year lease of the Akula-class submarine Nerpa. After joining India's Navy, the submarine was renamed INS Chakra.

Reports in Russian media suggesting the lease of another submarine appeared in 2013, but were denied by Sergei Chemezov, chief of the Russian tech development corporation Rostec. He stated that the issue had not been officially discussed, and that Rostec had not received any requests from India.

Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarines are considered to be some of the quietest in the world, due to the use of the latest technology in their construction. They are capable of dealing with both underwater and surface targets and can be equipped with torpedoes and mines, as well as with long-range missiles.