Mumbai: The launch of the submarine INS Arihant on July 26 in 2009, saw history being created as India became the sixth nation in the world after the US, UK, France, Russia and China, to develop nuclear-powered submarines.
Another milestone was achieved when the miniaturised nuclear reactor on board the submarine went “critical” in August last year.
INS Arihant can also carry and nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles while submerged. It is classified as a Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN). India plans to have five such home-built SSBNs over the next seven years.
The Indian Navy currently operates a Russian nuclear submarine called the INS Chakra that has been leased from the Russians for a ten-year period, for training its personnel before the INS Arihant is inducted into the force.
