By Dinakar Peri
India is testing its latest submarine and missile technologies, which could change the regional security equation.
In the last few months India seems to have reached a major milestone in its quest to field a credible minimum nuclear deterrent. The Hindu has reported that India’s first ballistic nuclear submarine (SSBN), the INS Arihant (which means destroyer of enemies), has been secretly moved out of harbor for sea trials. Contrary official sources have said that it will be moved out very soon. The submarine was launched in 2009 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It has since been undergoing harbor trials, and its 83 MW nuclear reactor went critical in August 2013. Sea trials represent the final stage before being inducted into the Indian Navy. Another three sister submarines are already under various stages of construction at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, where the first one was also built under a top secret project.
In another development, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) recently tested a 3,000 km range submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) named K-4, from a pontoon submerged 30 feet deep, off the coast of Visakhapatnam located on the eastern coast. This is the latest in a long line of successful missile tests in recent times by the DRDO, and reflects India’s maturing missile development capabilities. The K series of underwater missiles are named after former President Abdul Kalam, who was instrumental in developing the Indian missile development program.
Once operational, this SLBM will form a crucial leg of India’s nuclear triad, and also the most credible and hardest to detect. It will also make India the sixth country in the world to field nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles. Indeed former President APJ Abdul Kalam has said India has a “sixth nation” syndrome, referring to India as the sixth country in the world to develop many crucial technologies. He has called on India to correct this.
Read the full story at The Diplomat