Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently acknowledged delays in India’s indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program but indicated a renewed momentum towards self-reliance in underwater capabilities amid escalating maritime tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved funding for two SSNs under Project 77, with the first vessel expected to be commissioned around 2036-37. Concurrently, India is leasing Russian Akula-class submarines, including the delayed INS Chakra-III, as a strategic stopgap to enhance its underwater combat fleet against threats from China and Pakistan. While Singh’s remarks on the indigenous program highlight a commitment to developing advanced technologies, the leasing arrangement underscores India’s strategic partnership with Russia for immediate operational needs. This dual approach seeks to balance long-term goals of indigenous production with short-term capabilities enhancement, reflecting a broader strategy to maintain credible underwater deterrence amidst regional challenges and the complexities of international defense collaborations.