Why can't India use nuclear-powered submarine, which it will lease from Russia, for war?

India has a history of leasing Russian submarines for training and technology transfer

India is set to get a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia under a $2 billion lease deal within three years.

A PIB Fact Check, after a Bloomberg report that claimed that 'India clinches $2 billion Russia submarine deal as Putin visits', clarified that the upcoming lease of Chakra III, purportedly the Russian Navy’s K-322 Kashalot (Akula II-class) SSN, is based on a contract that was signed in 2019.

India does not currently operate any indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). The country's nuclear submarine fleet consists solely of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) like INS Arihant and INS Arighat.

New Delhi has a history of leasing nuclear-powered submarines from Russia mainly for the purpose of training, technology transfer, and operational experience. India had leased INS Chakra, a Charlie-class nuclear cruise missile submarine, from 1988 to 1991. From 2012 to 2021, India leased INS Chakra II, an Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine.

The PIB Fact Check stated that there has been a delay in the delivery of the submarine for which the contract was signed in 2019, and the new delivery is scheduled for 2028.

Quoting sources, the Bloomberg report had said the delay in the delivery of the leased submarine was due to price negotiations.

It is to be noted that the leased nuclear-powered submarines are not intended for combat deployment, as under lease terms, these are restricted from wartime use to comply with international agreements and Russian liability concerns.

Source: the week.in