Arihant Nuclear submarine

On the purpose of Industrial tour, when I visited Ship Building Center at Visakhaptnam, I dint' know that place would make India a sixth member in an extraordinary league of six countries having N-Subs. This is an incredible achievement for india. Named with Arihant submarine (meaning "Killer of Enemies") are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines is scheduled to be launched on 26 July 2009, on the ewe of Vijay Diwas - marking India's triumph over Pakistani intruders in Kargil. Built under top secret ATV (Advanced Technology Vessels) project, Arihanth is constructed by Indian Navy, DRDO and BARC.

Completing the nuclear triad

• Read also about "Shourya-Another arm in Indian nuclear Arsenal "
  

Sagarika / K15 missiles and Agni-3, developed by DRDO are yet to be included to Arihant. DRDO has been concurrently working on the equally Sagarika project since the mid-1990s, under which the 700km range K-15 missile has been tested from submersible pontoon launchers till now. The next challenge is to test-fire the K-15 missile from the ATV. Moreover, with US, Russia and China fielding over 5,000km range SLBMs, Indian scientists are also working on an SLBM variant of the 3,500km Agni-III missile. It will take minimum of 2 years for arihant to be fully operational and then it will be commissioned by Indian Navy.



Arihant Project Details:

Funding: 30,000 Crore
Participants: Indian Navy, DRDO, BARC
Other companies involved: L&T, BEL, IGCAR
Length of the submarine: 104m
Wight : 6000 Ton
Fuel used: Nuclear Energy, 20%-34% enriched uranium fuel (160-190MW)
One pressurized water reactor (PWR)
Speed: 12-15 (surfaced) 30-34 (submerged)
Range: Unlimited (Limited by food supply)
Armament:

• Torpedoes: 6 21" (533mm) torpedo tubes
• Total capacity (torpedoes, and missiles): 30 weapons
• SLBM - 12 launch tubes (each with 2.4 meter diameter)
• 12 x K15 SLBM (3 in each launch tube)
• 4 x Agni III (SLBM)(Under development)
• Torpedoes and Mines
  

Launched by: PM Manmohan Singh's Wife.
Comparison with other powers of world:

N-Subs built by US, Russia and China are 71, 40 and 10 respectivley. India is planning to built 3 Arihants. Its has been 54 years since the first N-sub entered waters that was built by US.

Comparing with Pakistan

It doesn't have any N-subs. Its not even in a position to buy them. Its has only 8 submarines which are diesel electrical. We have 16 as such. problem with conventional submarines is that they need to be surfaces frequently for charging of their batteries, which increases the chances to be detected.