India launches its own nuclear submarine

[Hookah Smoking Caterpiller]

Source - BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8169360.stm

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.

Does this mean a China - India Cold War will develop? They're both rising powers, and seem to be looking at each other as the competion.

(I readily away the rage from a certain member of TWC Pakistani community)

[Stavroforos]

While I'm all for having a major power in the world that isn't a US proxy, I don't know if I want India to be that power. However, east of Europe, they definitely are the only nation I would want to be a major power.

[Chukada1]

While I'm all for having a major power in the world that isn't a US proxy, I don't know if I want India to be that power. However, east of Europe, they definitely are the only nation I would want to be a major power.

Because teh Chinese are foreign devil. You die G.IIIIII.


Good for India. There is no reason either China or India need nucleur submarines, its a waste of money.

[jankren]

If I had to choose I want China to defeat India as a superpower.

[nopasties]

Yeah

Oh, wait the US will have to dump $10's-100'sbillions to make something better than a nuclear sub soon.

It is good to have a multi-polar world in some sense but military brinkmanship is never good for anyone. I just hope his does not mean everyone in the area has to have a nuclear sub now.

[Stavroforos]

Yeah

Oh, wait the US will have to dump $10's-100'sbillions to make something better than a nuclear sub soon.

It is good to have a multi-polar world in some sense but military brinkmanship is never good for anyone. I just hope his does not mean everyone in the area has to have a nuclear sub now.

Doubt the submarine is better than US submarines, or that the US would need to respond ahead of its current plans if it is.

[nopasties]

Doubt the submarine is better than US submarines, or that the US would need to respond ahead of its current plans if it is.

Right, it is still an achievement. This hardly puts India on a level of parity with the US navy. I just think the US will eventually start responding like the Brits prior to WWI. Also these new rivalries with big $billion toys is not a game I want to perpetually afford.

[Stavroforos]

Right, it is still an achievement. This hardly puts India on a level of parity with the US navy. I just think the US will eventually start responding like the Brits prior to WWI. Also these new rivalries with big $billion toys is not a game I want to perpetually afford.

I doubt the US will be responding to likely inferior military technology.

Besides, if the F-22 is any indication, the US armed forces aren't looking to go the way of the Cold Warrior superpower.

[Otherside]

If I had to choose I want China to defeat India as a superpower.

i'd prefer the opposite.

[Babur]

If I had to choose I want China to defeat India as a superpower.

why?

hasn't Indonesia been historically fairly close to India? hell there wouldn't be Hindus in Indonesia were it not for us.

anyway this is good news, I would like to see India expand its naval influence in the Indian ocean.

[bushbush]

why?

hasn't Indonesia been historically fairly close to India? hell there wouldn't be Hindus in Indonesia were it not for us.

anyway this is good news, I would like to see India expand its naval influence in the Indian ocean.

frankly i want india and china to defeat indonesia lol.

[Babur]

frankly i want india and china to defeat indonesia lol.

yuh sounds good

btw I bet this submarine is for sinking Somalian pirate ships

[bushbush]

yuh sounds good

btw I bet this submarine is for sinking Somalian pirate ships

i think it's a key step for nuclear deterrence of india. This means even if an enemy country destroyed every missile on indian soil, they have to think of the possiblity that an indian nuke sub is somewhere in the world ready to retaliate with full force.

[Surgeon]

I don't really think a nuclear sub will give China much power over India. What will they do, nuke each other? India probably has enough nukes to decimate China even without subs.

[CarbEast]

I don't really think a nuclear sub will give China much power over India. What will they do, nuke each other? India probably has enough nukes to decimate China even without subs.

Nuclear submarines are not necessarily about nuking each other. They are quite useful as conventional weapon carriers, and they give you as much power over somebody else as other military vessels.

[MadBurgerMaker]

Nuclear submarines are not necessarily about nuking each other. They are quite useful as conventional weapon carriers, and they give you as much power over somebody else as other military vessels.

You don't really want to be using your only SSBN, or any of your SSBNs for that matter if you have more than one, to do things that are normally done by SSN/SSKs or SSG/Ns. It's not what they're for, and they're not generally all that good at it.

SSBNs are for (and are good at) going somewhere in the middle of the ocean and just hanging out being quiet until they're required to nuclear weapons all over some country.

[bushbush]

"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."

that's not really close to what US, Russia, Britain, France and even china can do with the missiles on their nuke subs.

[Downey]

pshhh when you have multi military super powers there going to knock head, that's just history.

[nopasties]

pshhh when you have multi military super powers there going to knock head, that's just history.

More or less my point. I just do not want to afford the taxes for our superiority in the coming multipolar world.

[Hookah Smoking Caterpiller]

More or less my point. I just do not want to afford the taxes for our superiority in the coming multipolar world.

So you don't want to pay taxes to ensure you own nations continuing superiority?

you are an odd one.