New Delhi/ISJ – India on Friday (Aug 09) activated the nuclear reactor on-board its indigenous submarine INS Arihant. It would pave way for deployment of the warship by the Navy. With this, India will join the exclusive club of countries ? US, Russia, France, China and the UK – capable of launching submarine-based ballistic missiles.
Nuclear triad is the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea.
INS Arihant has been undergoing trials at Navy’s submarine base in Vishakhapatnam and would be launched for sea trials now, after nuclear reactor has gone critical.
INS Arihant will help India achieve the capability of going into high seas without the need to come up on surface at regular intervals for charging the cells of the vessel.
Congratulating the scientists involved in the project, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh termed it as a ?giant stride in the progress of our indigenous technological capabilities?. ?It is the testimony to the ability of our scientists, technologists and defence personnel to work together for mastering complex technologies in the service of our nation?s security,? he added.
The 6,000 tonne submarine was launched on July 26, 2009 by Prime Minister?s wife Gursharan Kaur at Visakhapatnam naval base.
