India Launches First Nuclear Submarine

[Sionnach Glic]

India launches nuclear submarine
Manmohan Singh speaks during the launch ceremony of India"s first nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant at Vishakhapatnam in India, Sunday, July 26, 2009.
Mr Singh said 'we do not seek to threaten anyone'

India has launched its first nuclear-powered submarine, becoming only the sixth country in the world to do so.

The 6,000 tonne Arihant was launched by India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a ceremony on the south-east coast.

It was built entirely in India with Russian assistance and a second one is due to be constructed shortly.

It will undergo trials over the next few years before being deployed and will be able to launch missiles at targets 700km (437 miles) away.

Until now, only the US, Russia, France, Britain and China had the capability to build nuclear submarines.

'China threat'

Launching the INS Arihant, Mr Singh said India had no aggressive designs on anyone.

Indian workers (L) paint the conning tower of the INS Kursura, on display as a part of the INS Kurusura Submarine Museum, at Rama Krishna Beach in Visakhapatnam, some 800 kilometers from Hyderabad, on July 25, 2009.
India has relied mainly on Russian-built submarines until now

But the sea was becoming increasingly relevant to India's security concerns, he added.

"It is incumbent upon us to take all measures necessary to safeguard our country and to keep pace with technological advancements worldwide," he told the ceremony in the port city of Visakhapatnam.

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says until now India has been able to launch ballistic missiles only from the air and from land.

Nuclear submarines will add a third dimension to its defence capability.

When it is eventually deployed, the top-secret Arihant will be able to carry 100 sailors on board.

It will be able to stay under water for long periods and thereby increase its chances of remaining undetected.

By contrast, India's ageing conventional diesel-powered submarines need to constantly surface to recharge their batteries.

Our correspondent says the launching of the Arihant is a clear sign that India is looking to blunt the threat from China which has a major naval presence in the region.

[Teaos]

In other news, Pakistan just announced the start of its nuclear submarine project...

[Deepcrush]

[Graham Kennedy]

Not just an SSN, I find in wikipedia, but an SSBN. "Arihant is designed to carry the Sagarika submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs)"

Those only have a range of 750 km, which is not impressive.

[Tyyr]

No but sufficient for their needs. It's more than enough to wipe Pakistan off the map, or put a big glowing crater in Beijing if either of those countries get too rough with them.

[Reliant121]

It may not be impressive to western nations, but in it's neighbourhood, it certainly is. China is probably the only nation that surpasses it in nuclear technology. Pakistan is trying to, but isnt getting very far. India practically has earned itself a serious deterrant against attack from Pakistan.

[Sionnach Glic]

Aye, we have to remember that their enemies will likely be the various third world style countries that inhabit the region. It doesn't need to be as impressive as an American or British sub.

[Aaron]

Not just an SSN, I find in wikipedia, but an SSBN. "Arihant is designed to carry the Sagarika submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs)"

Those only have a range of 750 km, which is not impressive.

Maybe not but it just rendered the entire Pakistani Navy irrelevant, it's enough to get them in port before they get under way. Though I doubt India is interested in a first strike.

[JudgeKing]

Not just an SSN, I find in wikipedia, but an SSBN. "Arihant is designed to carry the Sagarika submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs)"

Those only have a range of 750 km, which is not impressive.

Maybe not but it just rendered the entire Pakistani Navy irrelevant, it's enough to get them in port before they get under way. Though I doubt India is interested in a first strike.

Pakistan has a navy?

[sunnyside]

Pakistan has a navy?

Yes actually. Nothing too impressive compared to the big boys. But for their size they have an impressive little force of frigates, missile boats, and (non nuclear) subs.

However nukes aren't all that effective against navies unless the ships hang out close together in port. Which I doubt they're dumb enough to do.

Out in the open sea, even when operating together, you shouldn't be able to get more than one ship per nuke, again, unless they're operating too close together for some reason.

And in any case I'm pretty sure Sagarika's aren't designed with the kind of guidance needed to successfully target a moving ship in the first place. I think they're a deterrent sort of missile (i.e. they just have to hit a city).

[Reliant121]

Pakistan's navy is quite large when compared to its rivals in the area, besides India. 4 Zulfiqar frigates (Modified Chinese Jiangwei class), 6 Tariq frigates (Type 21's), 12 various missile boats as well as 12 diesel electric attack subs. 9 of which are french designs of varying ages, 3 of which wre designed for the Hellenic navy.

I would agree. It's India's ace in the card at the diplomatic table.

"What reason have we to not attack?" Says Pakistan.
"How about our new nuclear armed submarines that can level Islamabad or Karachi in a single shot?" India says.
"shit"

[Teaos]

While it is another chip to bargain with it is not a deal breaker. Pakistan still has enough conventional nukes to draw any negotiations.

[Tyyr]

Yes, but the nuclear sub is a special kind of delivery vehicle, damn near impregnable. While aircraft can be shot down, artillery destroyed, and missile silos bombed there's pretty much nothing you can do about a boomer in a big ocean who's only job is to not be found.

[Aaron]

Pakistan has a navy?

Yes actually. Nothing too impressive compared to the big boys. But for their size they have an impressive little force of frigates, missile boats, and (non nuclear) subs.

However nukes aren't all that effective against navies unless the ships hang out close together in port. Which I doubt they're dumb enough to do.

Out in the open sea, even when operating together, you shouldn't be able to get more than one ship per nuke, again, unless they're operating too close together for some reason.

And in any case I'm pretty sure Sagarika's aren't designed with the kind of guidance needed to successfully target a moving ship in the first place. I think they're a deterrent sort of missile (i.e. they just have to hit a city).

Most navies follow the principle of a ship spending one third of it's time in refit/port, one third on work up and one third on actual deployment. SO chances are high of getting a third of them. Even if they were all gone, taking out the ports severely hampers the Pakistani Navy in the long run. Not that India has any real chance of losing in a conflict with them. They have a greater population, industrial base and a competent volunteer military.