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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.

GrahamKennedy wrote: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.

Cpl Kendall wrote:

GrahamKennedy wrote: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 wrote:

Cpl Kendall wrote: Pakistan has a navy?

sunnyside wrote:

JudgeKing wrote:

Cpl Kendall wrote: 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).