Indian submarine sent for extensive maintenance is trapped in sanctions-hit Russia.

After a protracted major refit in Russia, which has been subject to significant sanctions and embargoes by the US-led western countries since it invaded Ukraine in February last year, India is having “some problems” transporting one of its diesel-electric submarines home.

But the $5.43 billion (Rs 40,000 crore) contract signed in 2018 has finally started to pay off as Russia’s first S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system has started to be delivered.

India continues to struggle with alternative payment methods for new inductions and maintenance of existing inventory in the wake of western sanctions on Moscow, given that well over 60% of its military hardware is of Soviet or Russian origin. But, according to sources, “it’s being managed.”

In October last year, the Navy wanted to arrange for the “sea-lift” of its Russian-built INS Sindhuratna from the Severodvinsk shipyard to Mumbai on a commercial transport dock ship.

However, the force has now modified the tender or RFP (request for proposal) for transportation of the 2,441-tonne Kilo-class submarine from Tromso or any other port in Norway.

“Ideally, the submarine should have returned straight from Russia. However, there are some issues with transportation and other things because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. So, the current plan is to sail it to a Norwegian port and then transport it to Mumbai using a sea-lift vessel, according to a different source.