NS Arihant, planned to be the first of five submarines of its class, will be ready to begin sea trials, said Admiral Nirmal Verma, the navy commander. When the vessel eventually becomes operational, India will be able to launch nuclear missiles from the sea, land and air, joining a handful of countries possessing the "nuclear triad".
The strategic aim is to deter China and Pakistan and establish India as the leading power in the Indian Ocean.
"INS Arihant is steadily progressing towards becoming operational," said Adml Verma. "We are pretty close to putting it to sea."
The navy was poised to "complete the triad, and our maritime and nuclear doctrines will then be aligned to ensure our nuclear insurance comes from the sea," added Adml Verma. "Given our unequivocal 'no first-use commitment', a retaliatory strike capability that is credible and invulnerable is an imperative."
INS Arihant will carry the K-15 ballistic missile, which carries a nuclear warhead. However, this weapon has a relatively modest range of less than 500 miles, raising questions about its ability to hit a target in China.
Nonetheless, Adml Verma's statement is likely to provoke a strong reaction from Beijing, which warned India against 'arrogance' earlier this year following its successful launch of the Agni IV intercontinental ballistic missile, a land-based weapon which can strike any city in China.
Mohan Guruswamy, from the Centre for Policy Alternatives in New Delhi, said the imminent launch of the new submarine "changed the equation [between India and China] considerably."
He pointed out that India ws also planning to launch six nuclear-powered attack submarines, adding that within seven years the country should have a varied fleet which would, in theory, be able to block Chinese access to the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Malacca. "They could be sitting off Karachi – or China. It's an investment for the future," said Mr Guruswamy.
Things are about to get 'interesting' in the Indian Ocean. IIRC, the Indian Navy has at least one aircraft carrier already.
Yup. They bought the hull from the Russians, IIRC...(http://www.military-today.com/navy/viraat.jpg)
Didn't they already have the INS Vikrant or something named similarly?
Yes. Vikrant was built on the 'HMS Invincible' design. They then bought the hull that had been intended to be the Russian Carrier 'Admiral Kuznetsov'. That turkey is supposed to be going through sea trials at the moment, and they have a third, built on the same pattern as 'Kuznetsov', which just began construction.
Seeing that the Chinese CV is supposed to be on a half-compleded Russian design, are the Chinese CV and the Indian CVs the same class?
Well isn't that special. A nation of 1.2 billion people with huge unsolved issues such as poverty, illiteracy, corruption, and inadequate public healthcare wants to spend money on building a submarine, not to mention the operational costs. The same country by the way that can't even provide the most basic of services for it's rural population. In many area's there is still no electricity, running water,sewer system, roads,schools, and the list goes on. You bet, this sounds like one hell of a good idea and the best way to use their resources. It should help them make a bunch of new friends in the area. :mental: :whatever: :whatever: :whatever: :whatever:
Some of those arguments are the same ones the left use to back cutting the military here. :-)
The biggest difference being that these problems the left say's we have exist mainly in their little minds, while in India they are for real.
The biggest difference being that these problems the left say's we have exist mainly in their little minds, while in India they are for real.
Yes, but hardly apples to apples comparison.
Some of those arguments are the same ones the left use to back cutting the military here. :-)
Well isn't that special. A nation of 1.2 billion people with huge unsolved issues such as poverty, illiteracy, corruption, and inadequate public healthcare wants to spend money on building a submarine, not to mention the operational costs. The same country by the way that can't even provide the most basic of services for it's rural population. In many area's there is still no electricity, running water,sewer system, roads,schools, and the list goes on. You bet, this sounds like one hell of a good idea and the best way to use their resources. It should help them make a bunch of new friends in the area. :mental: :whatever: :whatever: :whatever: :whatever:
Where are they going to put the slurpy machine in that thing?
Where are they going to put the slurpy machine in that thing?A red dot slurpee machine, right next to a feather casino slot machine.
Where are they going to put the slurpy machine in that thing?