Indian strategic planners have long aimed to procure nuclear submarines to bolster the nation's national security situation. Being situated on 2 sides by the sea and isolated from the surrounding landmass by the Indian Ocean, SSNs are incredibly valuable to Indian strategic planning. With the INS Chakra, a leased Akula-class submarine already providing the Indian navy with the institutional knowledge for operating nuclear attack submarines, and the delay in the indigenous nuclear submarine program, the SNASV aims to solve 2 problems at once.

1. Procure a class of advanced proven design of nuclear attack submarine

2. Secure foreign assistance in the construction of India's own nuclear submarines.

As such, the SNASV tender is open for any interested companies to secure a deal for the export of 6 SSNs to India to be built domestically in an Indian shipyard with a technology transfer, as well as a 20% stake in the Indigenous SSN program for technology assistance. The requirements for the SSNs are:

• Must be nuclear powered

• Must be in service with another navy

• Must be a 2000s design

• Must have an endurance of at least 90 days

• Capable of launching cruise misiles

• Capable of deploying special forces

December 2020 update, following Pakistan's order for 4 top of the line SSNs, India is increasing its tender to 12 units