India launches first nuclear-powered submarine

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called it a "historic milestone in the country's defence preparedness" as the 6,000-tonne INS Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies) was named in the southern city of Visakhapatnam.

The submarine, the first of five planned, is powered by an 85-megawatt nuclear reactor and can reach 44 kilometres an hour (24 knots) underwater, according to defence officials.

It will be armed with torpedoes and ballistic missiles, and carry a crew of 95 men

Yahoo News

I wonder what China will think of this?
I wonder what Pakistan will think?

India is a democracy. India is definately a Superpower in 30 years. Go india

India also has carriers. Which china does not

[edit on 26-7-2009 by Spartak_FL]

Good for them, I guess. I just dont see what all the hoopla is about when it comes to nuclear energy...... It's being utilized in the most inefficient way. Steam power ?? it just reminds me of how primitve we really are in the great scheme of things.

As an interesting side note, I have been reading......

It seems many sources seem to think that China and India will go to war in the next 10-15 years or so.

Now, the sub is nuclear powered, but no real coments on if any of the torpedo's and balistic missiles/rockets could be nuclear tipped.

Think, China has been building their navy at a rate to actually over take, by pure numbers, the US in the next 10 years or so.

My point is that Chiuna could field an absolutly unstopable navy toward India and run all ruff-shot.

Save the use of nuclear weapons, i see no real way for India to repel China.

I doubt india and china will go to war with each other...then again i can't see in to the future.No doubt China will be the next world superpower and india will not be that far behind them.Even during this global recession china still has 7% growth I hear they are slimming down their infantry though.Im no military expert but do china basically not copy everyone elses technology? I heard they did that when israel sold american technology to them,same with the russians.Im sure they have the brains and money to come up with their own fighters,submarines etc And i thought diesel engines were still some of the best subs?

reply to post by Solomons


Depends on what you consider best:

Cost
Sound made-how easily detected
Time it can stay underwater

Originally posted by mrmonsoon
reply to post by Solomons

 

Depends on what you consider best:

Cost
Sound made-how easily detected
Time it can stay underwater

I would have thought not being detected would be number 1 on the list of what makes a good sub.As far as i know diesel is the best in that regard.

reply to post by mrmonsoon


jesus, this stuff just bugs me to no end. A country where the avergae joe makes no more than a dollar a day, and their are millions of people starving has to go and spend billions on a freakin submarine?

For what? so they can nuke pakistan? ya, that will solve all your problems.

Its bad enough we spend the trillions on defense, does every country on earth need to waste resources and money on such stupidity?

Im all for countris looking to protect themselves, but this seems very overboard...unless they are looking to start an arms race, and or see something unfolding in the future...

God forbid they take heed the words of Ghandi...

An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind

reply to post by open_eyeballs


Honestly, if the sub were diesel powered, would you care, or care nearly as much???

My point is I think "nuclear" is the current "HOT" button word of the day.

As a side issue, yes, it would be nice if India spent more on feeding and housing it's population, but that is up to their elected government.

reply to post by open_eyeballs


Diesel, nuclear, fart powered, doesnt matter. If India truly feels so threatened that they need to build and deploy submarines, maybe they should re-asses their foreign policy (I have no idea what it is, Im just saying). And what good does it do them to have a Navy? The United States pretty much has the entire oceans on lock down... I understand the threat from Pakistan so its not like Im trying to demonize them. I just would think there are better ways to deter any enemy threats...

But have no fear I feel the same way about the U.S. foreign policy as well. Our foreign policies are why we need to spend so much on defense...One would think a nation striving for peace would spend more time and effort bandaging up their past afflictions with enemies than spending more on death devices. I just find the whole situation rather sad, and don't see much in gains for anyone.