India’s first nuclear submarine ‘INS Arihant’ completes deterrence patrol

India’s first nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant on Monday successfully completed its first deterrence patrol.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to a twitter to announce that INS Arihant has successfully completed its first deterrence patrol. He further congratulated all those involved, especially the crew of INS Arihant for the “accomplishment, which will always be remembered in our history”.

In a series of a tweet, PM Modi said, Dhanteras gets even more special! India’s pride, nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol! I congratulate all those involved, especially the crew of INS Arihant for this accomplishment, which will always be remembered in our history.”

Dhanteras gets even more special!

India’s pride, nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol!

I congratulate all those involved, especially the crew of INS Arihant for this accomplishment, which will always be remembered in our history. pic.twitter.com/tjeOj2cBdX

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2018

“The success of INS Arihant enhances India’s security needs. It is a major achievement for our entire nation. True to its name, INS Arihant will protect the 130 crore Indians from external threats and contribute to the atmosphere of peace in the region,” he said.

The success of INS Arihant enhances India’s security needs.

It is a major achievement for our entire nation.

True to its name, INS Arihant will protect the 130 crore Indians from external threats and contribute to the atmosphere of peace in the region.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2018

He further said, “In an era such as this, a credible nuclear deterrence is the need of the hour. The success of INS Arihant gives a fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail.”

In an era such as this, a credible nuclear deterrence is the need of the hour.

The success of INS Arihant gives a fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2018

PM Modi also said, “Today is historic because it marks the completing of the successful establishment of the nuclear triad. India’s nuclear triad will be an important pillar of global peace and stability.”

Today is historic because it marks the completing of the successful establishment of the nuclear triad. India's nuclear triad will be an important pillar of global peace and stability.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2018

“India is a land of peace. Values of togetherness are enshrined in our culture. Peace is our strength, not our weakness. Our nuclear programme must be seen with regard to India’s efforts to further world peace and stability,” PM Modi added.

India is a land of peace. Values of togetherness are enshrined in our culture.

Peace is our strength, not our weakness.

Our nuclear programme must be seen with regard to India’s efforts to further world peace and stability.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2018

Importantly, the INS Arihant also completes India’s nuclear triad by adding maritime strike capability to land- and air-based delivery platforms. Only the US and Russia were considered full-fledged nuclear triad powers until now. China reportedly began combat patrols of an armed nuclear-powered submarine in 2015.

It is to be noted that INS Arihant is India’s first nuclear-powered submarine. The ship submersible ballistic, nuclear (SSBN) submarine was launched at the Indian Navy’s dockyard in Visakhapatnam, which is the headquarters of India’s Eastern Naval Command.

Former PM Manmohan Singh, who had inaugurated the vessel into the Indian Navy, asserted that the indigenously built submarine would be used for self defence. The name Arihant derives from two words – Ari meaning enemy and Hanth meaning destroy.

Arihant, India’s first indigenously built nuclear submarine, cost $2.9bn. It was jointly developed by the Indian Navy, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Russian designers assisted in building the vessel.

Arihant has been developed as part of the military modernisation programme undertaken by India. The Indian Navy has a fleet of 16 diesel-electric submarines leased from Russia and Germany.

Arihant’s design is based on the Russian Akula-1 Class submarine. It weighs 6,000t. At a length of 110m and breadth of 11m, Arihant is the longest in the Indian Navy’s fleet of submarines and can accommodate a crew of 95. It can reach a speed of 12kt-15kt on the surface and up to 24kt when submerged.

Arihant is able to stay underwater for long periods undetected due to the nuclear-powered 80MW pressurised water reactor (PWR). The PWR was developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre with assistance from a Russian design team.

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