India to Build Two Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines Amid Rising Naval Concerns
On Wednesday, India approved plans to construct two new nuclear-powered attack submarines, according to two defense officials. This project is estimated to cost around 450 billion rupees (approximately $5,4 billion).
Amid rising concerns over China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean, India is focused on modernizing its military and enhancing its naval capabilities, as well as improving domestic weapons production. The cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has authorized the construction of the first two submarines in a planned fleet of six for the Indian Navy. However, the officials did not disclose any specific delivery timelines.

Source: US Navy photo by Josue L. Escobosa
China, possessing the world’s largest naval fleet with over 370 ships, has become a significant security concern for India, especially following deteriorating relations after deadly clashes in 2020 along their Himalayan border.
Nuclear-powered attack submarines are considered among the most powerful naval weapons due to their speed, stealth, and extended underwater capabilities, making them harder to detect than conventional diesel-powered submarines. Only a few nations, including China, France, Russia, and the United States, currently manufacture such submarines.
India previously leased two nuclear-powered attack submarines from Russia but has since returned them and is now in discussions to lease another. The new submarines will be constructed at India’s government shipbuilding facility located in Visakhapatnam, a port in the southern part of the country. The construction firm Larsen and Toubro is also expected to participate in this project.
These new submarines will differ from the Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarines currently under construction in India, which are capable of launching nuclear weapons. The second Arihant-class submarine was commissioned in August.