Putin's terrifying military alliance grows as he 'signs key £1.5bn submarine deal'

Vladimir Putin is to visit India today (Image: Getty)

Vladimir Putin is set to strike a submarine deal with India as he is to soon begin a two-day visit to the country. The Asian country will pay roughly $2 billion (£1.5 billion) on the lease for a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia, people familiar with the matter told the Times of India. 

Talks to aquire the vessel have reportedly been going on for a decade, and the its delivery is now being finalised. Negotiations had stalled in previous years due to the high cost, but both countries have now agreed on the deal after Indian officials visited a Russian shipyard in November, the sources added.

The deal has reportedly been in the works for a decade. (Image: Getty)

The submarine should be in India's hands within two years, though this is subject to change due to the complexity of the deal.

This comes ahead of the Russian president's visit to India on Thursday - the first time he's stepped foot in the country in four years.

He is due to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show the good relationship they have maintained despite Russia being increasingly isolated due to the war with Ukraine.

The pair will attend an annual summit held by their countries and are expected to sign a number of deals.

The Kremlin said in a statement that Putin's was "of great importance, providing an opportunity to comprehensively discuss the extensive agenda of Russian-Indian relations as a particularly privileged strategic partnership".

Putin will travel alongside his defence minister Andrei Belousov and a delegation made up of business and industry leaders.

Top executives from state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and heads of sanctioned oil companies Rosneft and Gazprom Neft are also reportedly due to attend.