Why is it in news?

• According to navy sources, submarine INS Arihant suffered major damage because of possible human error and has not sailed for months. A high profile launch, to be attended by the prime minister, was put off.

About INS Arihant

• INS Arihant is India’s indigenous and only Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) asset.
• Arihant is the most important platform within India’s nuclear triad, covering land-air-sea modes. It is the most dependable platform for a second-strike capability, given India’s “no first use” policy on nuclear weapons.
• It is a 124 meter long Arihant class nuclear-powered submarine.
• The submarine is manned by a staff of 100 with extensive training.
• It is modeled after the Russian Charlie Class (NATO name). It was initially meant to be a fast-attack nuclear submarine project. It was later modified into a SSBN.
• It can carry about 1 K-15 or Sagarika Submarine Launch Ballistic Missiles (SLBM) with a range of 750km with nuclear warheads.
• The submarine is designed to use vertical “Tube Launch Missile Technology”, and the launchers have been manufactured to accommodate the submarine variant of the 5000km range Agni-III missiles.
• Arihant’s nuclear pressurized water reactor uses 34% to 40% enriched uranium, has one turbine and one seven-blade highly skewed brass propeller. The nuclear reactor produces power of 85MW.
• INS Arihant is the first of India’s ambitious plan to build a fleet of five Arihant class vessels. It took 30 years and over Rs.14000 crore to build it.

Conclusion

INS Arihant is one of the most important parts of India’s defence system. Hence, it is imperative that it stays at its best health at any given movement and steps should be taken to ensure the same.

Source

The Hindu