PIB Refutes Bloomberg Report on New India–Russia Submarine Deal
Bloomberg Report Triggers Intense Speculation on New Submarine Deal During Putin’s Visit
A Bloomberg report published on 4 December 2025 suggested that India had finalised a fresh USD 2 billion lease agreement with Russia for a nuclear-powered attack submarine. The report appeared hours after President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for his two-day state visit. It cited unnamed officials and noted recent Indian naval and defence delegations visiting Russian shipyards, portraying these visits as evidence of progress. This framing positioned the development as a landmark step in India’s naval modernisation and a new chapter in bilateral defence cooperation.
The story quickly gained traction due to the timing, the sensitivity of naval nuclear assets, and the global scrutiny surrounding the India Russia submarine deal.
Government Issues Firm Denial Through PIB, Labels Bloomberg’s Story Misleading
The Government of India responded on the same day through the Press Information Bureau. PIB released a sharp fact-check, categorising Bloomberg’s headline as misleading and asserting that no new submarine deal was signed during Putin’s visit. The clarification underscored that the report misrepresented ongoing developments by implying a fresh agreement.
PIB stated that the submarine lease referenced by Bloomberg was actually part of an existing arrangement signed in March 2019. That agreement, valued at roughly USD 3 billion, involves leasing the Akula-class nuclear attack submarine INS Chakra III for ten years. The schedule places the submarine’s arrival around 2028, subject to readiness.
2019 Akula-Class Lease Forms the Core of India’s Nuclear Training Framework
Under the 2019 deal, INS Chakra III is intended primarily for crew training and nuclear propulsion familiarisation. India receives critical exposure to operations, maintenance cycles, and long-duration underwater deployment patterns. However, Russia retains strict operational control under the lease. The submarine cannot be used in combat situations or wartime missions.
The deal has experienced delays due to the Russia–Ukraine conflict, which disrupted shipyard timelines and technical teams. Despite this, the arrangement remains pivotal to India’s long-term goal of building an indigenous fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. The training-centric nature of the lease aligns with earlier agreements for Chakra I and Chakra II. Both past platforms helped India accumulate design, command, and safety experience essential for its Strategic Forces Command.
Media Amplification Before Verification Raises Questions on Accuracy Standards
Following Bloomberg’s story, major Indian media houses—including NDTV, India Today, and Business Standard—republished the report within hours. Social media influencers and defence commentators also circulated the claim widely. The rapid amplification created significant public interest, which in turn prompted the urgent clarification issued by the Government.
The episode illustrated how unverified defence-sector news can escalate rapidly in both reach and perception. The India Russia submarine deal narrative shifted from speculation to correction within a single news cycle. This sequence has reignited discussion about sourcing standards in defence reporting and the responsibilities of media agencies when handling sensitive national security matters.
Long-Term Context: India’s Underwater Deterrence Strategy Continues Unchanged
India’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarine capabilities spans decades and forms a core element of its underwater deterrence strategy. The Akula-class programme has consistently served as a training platform rather than a wartime asset. While negotiations for technical upgrades and delivery timelines continue, the structural objective of the 2019 lease remains unchanged.
The Bloomberg report, though influential, does not alter India’s long-term project of developing self-reliant nuclear submarine capability. The Government’s swift clarification reasserts the strategic framework within which such deals operate.
