The Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh today launched the India’s first indigenous nuclear powered submarine dubbed Advanced Technology Vehicle. He said ““I am honoured to be present here today on the occasion of the launch of India’s first indigenous nuclear powered submarine.. Today’s launch is a reflection of the immense technical expertise that exists in our country and the strength of our research and development organisations. More importantly, the launch represents the determination and patriotism of our technologists, scientists and defence personnel who have overcome several hurdles and barriers to enable the country to acquire self-reliance in the most advanced areas of defence technology.”
This submarine is the outcome of public-private enterprise partnership and cooperation with Russia.
The prime Ministers wife Gursharan Kaur named the 112-metre-long submarine ” INS Arihant.”
The launch was held at the Matsya naval dockyard in Vishakapatnam. INS Arihant is a 6000-tonne submarine and powered by an 85 megawatt capacity nuclear reactor. The nuclear submarine has an expected surface speeds of 12-15 knots and submerged speed upto 24 knots. It’s expected to carrying a crew of 95 sailors. The submarine can be armed with torpedoes, ballastic missiles (12 ballistic missiles) and cruise missiles.
Four more nuclear-powered submarine of this class have already got government’s nod.
