Nuclear Weapons 362 - First Domestically Constructed Indian Nuclear Sub Goes On Patrol

Nuclear Weapons 362 - First Domestically Constructed Indian Nuclear Sub Goes On Patrol

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Caption: 
Artist’s concept of the Indian Arihant by Gagan.

       India just announced that the first nuclear submarine manufactured in India has just completed what they call a “deterrence patrol.” This means that India now has a triad of delivery systems that will allow them to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea, and air.
       To the east of India lies China, a nuclear power that has engaged in armed conflicts with India. To the west of Indian is Pakistan, another nuclear armed nation with which India has fought wars. While India’s relations with China have been improving recently, relations with Pakistan have been deteriorating.
        Narendra Modi is the nationalistic prime minister of India. He said that the first mission of the INS Arihant, India’s first domestically produced nuclear sub was a “fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail.”
        Modi said that "Amid an increase in the number of nuclear weapons in our surroundings, a credible nuclear deterrence is extremely important for our country's security," in a nationally televised speech. “Arihant is an open warning for the country's enemies, for the foes of peace: Don't try any misadventure against India.” On Twitter, Modi said that the “success of the INS Arihant enhances India's security needs.” He also tweeted that the Arihant would protect Indian citizens from “external threats and contribute to the atmosphere of peace in the region. India's nuclear triad will be an important pillar of global peace and stability.”
       The Arihant was officially put into service or commissioned in 2016. It is the first of a new class of Indian ballistic-missile subs. The Indians intend to build three or four more subs in this class. The Arihant can carry as many as twelve K-15 short-range ballistic missiles. Each of these missiles has a range of up to four hundred and sixty miles. Alternatively, the Arihant can carry four K-4 intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Each of these missiles has a range of two thousand and twenty miles. Both the K-15 missiles and the K-4 missiles can be fitted with nuclear warheads.
       Despite the Indian announcement of the “deterrence partrol” that was just completed, the Arihant was not designed for regular patrols. It has been used for training since it became operational. In early 2017, an external hatch was left unsecured when the sub submerged. This led to the sub being flooded and seriously damaged.
       The next sub in the new class is called the Arighant. It was launched in late 2017 and is expected to be commissioned in 2020 or 2021. The Arighant has twice as many missile tubes as the Arihant and is said to be much quieter in operation.
        India is very concerned about the operations of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean. India wants to bolster its presence in the Indian Ocean to counter the Chinese activity. India is working on obtaining nonnuclear subs. It is also considering the purchase of more P-81 maritime patrol aircraft.
        If war broke out between India and China or Pakistan and escalated to the exchange of nuclear weapons, the resulting radioactive fallout would quickly spread to all three of these nuclear armed countries. Such wars would be futile, and all countries involved would be losers. A major exchange of nuclear warheads could result in the end of human civilization and the death of billions.