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Arihant-class submarine

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India's 5,000-ton Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) is expected to enter service by 2012.
Advanced Technology Vessel
Class overview
NameArihant (अरिहंत:)
BuildersShipbuilding Centre (SBC), Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Operators Indian Navy
Succeeded byArihant follow-on submarine
In commission2011- (est.)
Planned5[1]
Building5
General characteristics
TypeBallistic missile submarine
Displacement6,000 tons[2]
Length112 m (367 ft)[2]
Beam15 m (49 ft) (Est.)
Draft10 m (33 ft) (Est.)
Propulsion85MW PWR using 40% enriched uranium fuel; 1 turbine (47,000hp/70MW); 1 shaft; 1 7-bladed, high-skew propeller
Speed12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) (surfaced); 24 knots (44 km/h) (submerged)
Rangeunlimited except by food supplies
Test depth300 m (980 ft) (est)
Complement95
Sensors and
processing systems		USHUS Sonar
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
Torpedoes: 6 21" (533mm) torpedo tubes - est. 30 charges (torpedoes, missiles or mines)[3]
SLBM - 4 launch tubes (each with 2.4 meter diameter)[4]
12 x K15 SLBM (3 in each launch tube) or
4 x K-4[5] SLBM (Under development)

The Arihant class submarines (Sanskrit: अरिहंत:, meaning "Slayer of Enemies") are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines[6] being developed for the Indian Navy. The INS Arihant was introduced to the public on July 26, 2009 at a symbolic launch ceremony, which consisted of floating it by flooding the dry dock.[7] The Arihant class is India's first indigenously designed and built nuclear submarine. The class is expected to consist of four vessels to be in commission with the Indian Navy by 2015, with a further four vessels planned to follow on.[8] The Arihant class vessels were designed as a part of India's US$2.9 billion project to design and build nuclear-powered submarines.[9][10][11][12][13][14]

History

The Arihant class submarines were designed and constructed as a part of the Indian Navy's Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project. The first confirmation on the project came in 1998 from then defense minister of India, George Fernandes.[15] The ATV project started with the intent to design nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, though over time the project was re-aligned towards the design of a ballistic missile submarine[16] in order to complete India's nuclear triad.[17] The project faced many challenges including design and miniaturization of the nuclear reactor.[18]

Development

The vessels are to be powered by an 85 MW pressurized water reactor (PWR) with enriched uranium fuel.[6] The initial design of the miniaturized naval-version of the reactor developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) had technical challenges, after which Russian help was sought to resolve the design glitches. The final production version of the reactor was built by the BARC at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam.[19] A land-based prototype of the marine PWR was first built at Kalpakkam and made operational in September 2006. The prototype included a 42-meter section of the submarine's pressure hull containing the shielding tank with water and the reactor, a control room, as well as an auxiliary control room for monitoring safety parameters.[20] Successful operation of the prototype for three years yielded the data that enabled the production version for Arihant.[21][22] The reactors are fueled by high fissile fuel requiring lesser refuels for the submarine.[23]

The hulls for this class are built by L&T's Hazira shipbuilding facility. Tata Power SED built the control systems for the submarine. The systems for the steam turbine integrated with the PWR are supplied by Walchandnagar Industries.[24]

The program has been shrouded in mystery and reports on the current status of the vessel have differed. It was reported in 2009 by Defro.com that the nuclear reactor and other key systems including its surveillance equipment and ordnance were still in the process of being installed.[7][25][26][27][28] Other reports have stated that the reactor is on board the submarine.[29][30] India Today provided details of the nuclear reactor on-board. After the initial harbour trials are over, the steam turbines will be tested using a secondary power option. After successfully completing the turbine test, the nuclear reactor on-board the submarine will be activated. This is done by slowly raising the zirconium rods which will make the nuclear reactor critical. Once the reactor is critical, the sea trial of the submarine is carried out.[31] In 2010, the lead vessel of the class, INS Arihant was reported to have begun sea trials and the submarine is expected to formally join the Indian Navy by 2011.[32][33] systems were not included in the submarine's launch and that it was only a ceremonious float-out.[7] Although it has been reported that the new submarine already conducting sea trials,[34] Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma said in December 2009, "Work is in progress to make INS Arihant operational for sea-trials...it should be inducted in two years or so."[35]

In these two years the submarine will undergo harbour acceptance trials(HATs) where the submarine's nuclear reactor will be 'fired' and all the on board systems will be tested on the power generated by the submarine, which will be followed by sea acceptance trials (SATs) where the submarine will be operated at different speeds and different depths, the final phase will be the weapon trials where the submarine will fire its SLBMs (Submarine launched ballistic missiles) and torpedoes.[36][37] Before working together all the systems installed in the submarine have to be tested one after the another (this process is called setting-to-work), the HATs and SATs are reported to last for one and a half year.[38]

Full integration of key systems and Sea trials are expected to be extensive. The submarine is not expected to formally join the Indian Navy earlier than 2011.[39] Admiral Verma stated in 2009 that The INS Arihant will be more of "a technology demonstrator", rather than a fully-operational SSBN [35] however in 2011 he revealed that Arihant will undertake "deterrent patrols" in 2012 completing India's nuclear triad.[40] Two more submarines in the class are under construction and the hull sections of these has been completed at L&T facility in Hazira and is expected to be transported to Vishakapatanam for assembling.[41] INS Arihant is undergoing extensive sea trials before it's induction into service, and is said to be inducted prior to the induction of Akula class submarine.[42]

Details

The submarine is reported to be similar to the Russian Akula class submarine, which India leased from the Soviet Union between 1988 and 1991.[43] Personnel will have the opportunity to train on an Akula-II class nuclear attack submarine it will lease from Russia sometime in the second quarter of 2010.[43] It is conjectured that India may have struck deal for the supply of two of these submarines with an option to purchase them in the future.[39]

The Arihant class may possibly be armed with the existing 750 km K-15 Sagarika SLBM or the under-development 3500 km range K-4,[44] [5] an SLBM version of Agni-III.

The Arihant class hull features twin flank-array sonars and Rafael broadband expendable anti-torpedo countermeasures. The UPA government's report card carried an image of INS Arihant, which provided the first glimpse of the complete sub.[45]

Project Varsha

The Indian Navy is developing a new top-secret naval base for its nuclear submarines, code-named Project Varsha, located within a radius of approximately 200 kilometers (124.27 statute miles) from Visakhapatnam.[1] Previous news reports suggested that Gangavaram had been the initial site for the new base.[46] The new base is designed to support all 8-12 Arihant -class submarines to be built for the Indian Navy, and it will include state-of-the-art nuclear engineering support facilities and extensive crew accommodations.[1] The Indian Navy is seeking foreign technical assistance pertaining to nuclear safety features for the base.[1] While designed principally as a nuclear submarine support facility, the new base can accommodate other naval vessels because of the Indian Navy's expansion.[1] This facility has been compared to the top-secret Hainan nuclear submarine base for the Chinese PLA Navy.[1] This east coast base expansion program by the Indian Navy is in direct response to Chinese naval expansion into the region.[47]

In addition to Project Varsha, in late 2009, the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), located at Visakhapatnam, was transferred from the Ministry of Shipping to the Ministry of Defence in order to support the Arihant -class nuclear submarine construction program.[1][48]

Ships in class

Name Pennant Builder Launch Commissioning Status
INS Arihant S73 Shipbuilding Centre Vishakapatnam 26 July 2009 2012[49] Sea trial[50]
INS Arhidaman [51] Shipbuilding Centre Vishakapatnam and porbainder Under construction
Unknown Shipbuilding Centre Vishakapatnam Under construction
Unknown Shipbuilding Centre Vishakapatnam
  • Conceptual drawing of the INS Arihant
    Conceptual drawing of the INS Arihant
  • Concept drawing of the INS Arihant
    Concept drawing of the INS Arihant
  • Concept drawing of the INS Arihant
    Concept drawing of the INS Arihant
  • Concept drawing of the INS Arihant
    Concept drawing of the INS Arihant
  • Concept drawing of the INS Arihant
    Concept drawing of the INS Arihant

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Suman Sharma (June 12, 2010). "Navy creating a new base for nuke submarines". India. (Daily News & Analysis. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  2. ^ a b "India reaches milestone with launch of n-powered submarine - India - DNA". Dnaindia.com. 2009-07-26. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  3. ^ John Pike (2009-07-27). "Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV)". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  4. ^ http://www.indiaresearch.org/Shourya_Missile.pdf
  5. ^ a b "Livefist - Indian Defence & Aerospace: MAG REPORT: India's Secret K-Missile Family". Livefist.blogspot.com. 2010-11-21. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  6. ^ a b Pandit, Rajat (2009-07-17). "India set to launch nuclear-powered submarine". The Times Of India.
  7. ^ a b c "defence.professionals". defpro.com. 2009-07-28. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  8. ^ Final test of K-15 ballistic missile on Tuesday[dead link]
  9. ^ "Indian indigenous nuclear sub to be unveiled on 26 July: report". domain-b.com. 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  10. ^ "India nuclear sub project near completion". In.reuters.com. 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  11. ^ "PM to launch indigenous nuke submarine by month-end". MSN. July 16, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  12. ^ "Indigenous nuclear submarine goes on trial". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2009-07-19. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  13. ^ By Hari SudColumn: Abroad View Published: August 14, 2009 (2009-08-14). "India's nuclear submarine and the Indian Ocean". upiasia.com. Retrieved 2011-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "India's nuclear submarine dream, still miles to go". Reuters. 2009-07-31.
  15. ^ "George defends position on China". Indianexpress.com. 1998-05-19. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  16. ^ John Pike. "Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV)". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  17. ^ "First indigenous nuclear sub is inducted into the navy - India - DNA". Dnaindia.com. 2009-07-26. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  18. ^ "India's nuclear sub still a distant dream". Rediff.com. 2001-02-16. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  19. ^ Report: Official confirms India building a nuclear powered submarine[dead link]
  20. ^ "Unveiled: Arihant's elder brother". Telegraphindia.com. 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  21. ^ "PWR building shows indigenous capability, says Kakodkar". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2009-08-02. Retrieved 2009-08-02. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  22. ^ "Arihant propulsion reactor unveiled". Hindustan Times. 2009-08-02. Retrieved 2009-08-02. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  23. ^ "High fissile fuel in nuclear submarine lasts long". Hindu.com. 2009-11-05. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  24. ^ "Private sector played a major role in Arihant - India - DNA". Dnaindia.com. 2009-07-27. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  25. ^ "India's nuclear sub doesn't have working reactor yet". Thaindian.com. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  26. ^ "NTI: Global Security Newswire - Indian Ballistic-Missle Sub Still Without Nuclear Reactor". Global Security Newswire. 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  27. ^ CJ: Natteri Adigal. "Reactor-less Arihant, engineless Tejas, gleeful Hawks". Merinews.com. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  28. ^ "India's Nuclear Sub Doesn't Have Working Reactor Yet". Daiji World. 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
  29. ^ "Nuclear submarine all set to enter waters". Hindu.com. 2009-07-26. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  30. ^ "INS Arihant to take long time to become operational: Experts". The Times Of India. 2009-07-26.
  31. ^ Sandeep Unnithan (23 Jul 2009). "Deep impact". India Today. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  32. ^ Rahul Singh. "Naval forces get ready to operate N-submarine". Hindustan Times.
  33. ^ "First nuke-sub undergoes trial". Deccan Herald.
  34. ^ "India, Russia close to final testing of air-launched BrahMos". Deccan Herald. Moscow. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  35. ^ a b Pandit, Rajat (2009-12-03). "Home-made nuke sub INS Arihant to be inducted in 2 years". The Times of India. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
  36. ^ "PM launches INS Arihant in Visakhapatnam". The Times Of India. 2009-07-26.
  37. ^ Arihant Class Submarine - Naval Technology
  38. ^ "Nuclear submarine Arihant to be fitted with K-15 ballistic missiles". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2009-07-27.
  39. ^ a b "Indian Navy to procure five midget submarines". domain-b.com. New Delhi: The Information Company. 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  40. ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-02/india/29730427_1_nuclear-submarine-nuclear-powered-submarine-nerpa
  41. ^ PM's wife to launch INS Arihant, India's first nuclear submarine
  42. ^ Guarding our 7,600-km coastline is a challenge
  43. ^ a b Von Kospoth, Nicolas (2009-07-28). "India's INS Arihant Makes First Contact with Water". Defense Professionals Daily. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
  44. ^ http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/the-secret-k-missile-family/1/120488.html India Today The secret 'K' missile family
  45. ^ INS Arihant image
  46. ^ Sudha Ramachandran (October 17, 2006). "India navy drops another anchor". Asia Times. Retrieved 2009-04-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  47. ^ Vivek Raghuvanshi (8 December 2010). "Eying China, India Plans New East Coast Navy Bases". Home. DefenseNews. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  48. ^ "On national security interests, Govt moves Hindustan Shipyard to Defence ministry". The Times of India. December 24, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-11. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  49. ^ SSBN Arihant to be commissioned in 2 years: Navy chief
  50. ^ First nuke-sub undergoes trial
  51. ^ http://khabar.ibnlive.in.com/news/53480/1

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