Indigenous INS Arihant ballistic missile submarine Flagged Off for Trial
India’s first indigenously developed nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine- INS Arihant was flagged off by the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar from Vizag for sea trials.
In maiden sea trial, Arihant’s light water reactor will undergo comprehensive validation before it is commissioned into the Navy.
Key facts
- INS Arihant’s design is based on the Russian Akula-1 class submarine.
- It is a 6,000-tonne nuclear powered submarine and 112 metre long.
- Powered by 83 MW pressurised light water reactor built with Russia’s help. This reactor generates tremendous heat, driving a steam turbine.
- Capable of launching nuclear-capable ballistic missile BO-5 which has a range of 700 kms. It can carry 12 such missiles.
Implications
- It will help India achieve the capability of going into high seas for long durations without the need to surface the vessel. Conventionally, diesel-electric submarines have to come up on surface at regular intervals for charging the cells of the vessel.
- Its successful implementation will help India to secure a seaborne nuclear deterrent.
- Once it is inducted in navy will help India to complete its nuclear triad of delivering nuclear weapons from land, sea and air.
- Thus India will join an elite club of six nations that operate nuclear submarines carrying ballistic missiles. 6 nations: The US, Russia, France, Britain, China and India.
Presently, Indian Navy operates the INS Chakra, a nuclear-powered submarine which is leased for 10 years from Russia in 2012.
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Month: Current Affairs - December, 2014