INS ARIHANT ENTERS; ENEMY DETERS

INS ARIHANT; WIL IT TRIGGER ARMS RACE?

INS Ahirant enters into water yesterday, the 26^th July, 2009 after formal naming of this vessel done by PM’s wife Gurusharan Kaur by breaking coconut at the dry port in vishakhapattanam. According to naval tradition such rituals are performed only by a woman. Thus India formally joined the club of existing 5 countries which have indigenously developed Nuclear Sub-marines; this date was selected because country is celebrating 10 anniversary of Kargil War as Vijay diwas.

INS Ahirant code named as ‘Advanced Technology vessel’ is 5,000 tons vessel and fitted with a mini Nuclear reactor developed by BARC which can generate 80 MWe to run the vessel and fire missile.

Till date only USA, UK, Russia, China and France have such N- Submarines in their naval fleets. Indigenously developed by BARC and DRDO with the help of Russia, INS Ahirant will substantially enhance our defense capability because this vessel can operate remaining in water for longer periods due to inbuilt N-reactors. Non N-Submarines (general submarines) have to come out to the water surface either for re-fuelling or oxygen necessary for combustion of fuel, thus the vessel is exposed to enemy’s threat. The N-Submarines are not required to come out to the water surface in the sea because the N-Reactor continues to supply the vessel required energy for movement and operation.

Ahirant, which means destroyer of enemy, will undoubtedly bestow upon our Navy upper hand vis-à-vis our enemies at sea. This submarine would be fitted with K-15 ‘Sagarika’ missiles which is a nuclear capable submarine launched ballistic missile of 750 km range. This missile is likely to be ready for use by 2010 and is being developed by DRDO missile complex of Hyderabad. It is 18.5 meter long, 17 tons heavy with 500 kg payload missile and is capable of very effective strike at enemy’s establishment.

Thus the long waited ambitious program of having N-Submarine with intermediate range ballistic missile is going to be achieved. It is a red letter day for all Indians especially our defense. The fast changing politico-strategic balance of power in South-Asia and Central, South-east and Middle East Asia, this development is of immense significance. Such enhancement of striking power of naval forces will deter terrorist also who are now frequently using sea routes to strike and inflict on Indian territories.