Russia has proposed supplying India with three enhanced Kilo-class submarines as a cost-effective interim solution while delays persist in the Project 75I program. The submarines will undergo significant modernization, including the integration of the Klub-S missile system, enhancing their operational capabilities against maritime threats. This development comes as India’s aging submarine fleet faces operational challenges, with projections indicating a potential reduction to single-digit numbers by the mid-2030s, threatening maritime security in the Indian Ocean. This initiative not only sustains fleet numbers but also reinforces India-Russia defense ties, aligning with India’s goals for indigenization and bolstering its naval capacity amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region.