Reactor on India’s 1st nuclear missile submarine goes critical

The submarine,which has till now only been tested at the shore facility in Vizag where it was built,is now shortly expected to go to sea for a series of trials that will include the firing of the K 15 submarine launched ballistic missile. The K 15,which has been tested from underwater platforms,will form the third part of India’s nuclear triad — the capability to deliver nuclear weapons from land,air and underwater.

The firing up of the reactor was greeted by a series of congratulatory messages for the Department of Atomic Energy and the DRDO with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh terming the occasion as a ‘giant stride in the progress of our indigenous technological capabilities’.

“It is testimony to the ability of our scientists,technologists and defence personnel to work together for mastering complex technologies in the service of our nation’s security. I look forward to the early commissioning of the INS Arihant,” the Prime Minister said.

While the submarine project is running at least three years behind time,sources said that the earliest it can be formally commissioned into the navy after completing all tests would be by late next year,given that the missile system is yet to be integrated on board and tested. Once the submarine is commissioned,it will be deployed for deterrence patrols.

Antony described the reactor going critical early on Saturday morning as a “very important milestone in the nation’s journey towards self reliance in critical areas” and said that the indigenously built nuclear submarine would be “the pride of the Navy when it joins the Fleet”.

A submarine capable of launching nuclear missiles is considered critical for nuclear weapons states,specially those with declared “no first use policy”. An underwater asset is the most survivable form of deterrence that can launch a counter attack even after the state suffers a first hit. As of now,India has the capability of launching nuclear missiles from land,with the Agni and Prithvi series of missiles,as well as the air with the Mirage and Su 30 MKI fighter bombers.