The Silicon Review ^Asia

It’s a debut time for INS Arihant, the country’s first nuclear ballistic missile submarine. Recently the submarine completed its first deterrence patrol.

INS Arihant, the 6,000-tonne submarinewhich took three decades for development under the ATV programme of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After a successful deterrence patrol, the submarine is now considered as a fully functional underwater ballistic missile delivery platform.

There is no doubt in the potential of a ballistic missile submarine as it can destroy any enemy submarines and remain undetected for a relatively longer period of time. The missile submarine can get closer to the enemy coast and launch missiles deep into their territory, which otherwise cannot be launched by land-based short-range ballistic missiles.

The INS Arihant‘s launch has completed the country’s nuclear triad by including marine strike capabilities (among land and air-based delivery platforms). The big five nuclear nations of the world, i.e. the UK, China, the US, Russia and France are already dominating the nuclear triad arena. According to a report, China carries outcombat patrols of its nuclear armed submarine.

Last year, neighbouring state Pakistan tested its submarine-based missile, Babur and will complete its nuclear triad soon since the country is already equipped with land-based ballistic missiles as well as tactical nuclear bombs deliverable by war planes.

It will be interesting to know how the new missile would help India.