The first Indian nuclear submarine INS Arihant carried out a successful "deterrence patrol" on Monday, completing the country's nuclear triad, 20 years after the nuclear doctrine was unveiled. India now has nuclear firepower in land, air and water.
The addition of maritime nuclear capability puts India in a rare list, including only the US, China, UK, France and Russia.
Fighter jet Mirage 2000 and Agni ballistic missiles are part of the air-land-water nuclear triad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the submarine is a "fitting response" to those who indulge in "nuclear blackmail".
The prime minister said Dhanteras has become even more special with this move. "India's pride, nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol. I congratulate all those involved, especially the crew of INS Arihant, for this accomplishment, which will always be remembered in our history," PM Modi said.
The prime minister also received the crew of Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine (SSBN) INS Arihant on Monday, a statement released by his office said.
INS Arihant was commissioned in the Navy in 2016 after the construction started in the mid 1990s. The construction of the submarine was part of a highly classified 'advance technology vessel' project under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office.
INS Arihant was launched in 2009 and sea trials started in 2014. It is armed with ballistic missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometres. India is in the process of building another nuclear submarine, INS Argihat, that could be commissioned in the next four to five years.
INS ARIHANT
- The nuclear submarine is armed with ballistic missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometres.
- Addition of maritime nuclear capability puts India in a rare list, alongside France, US, China, UK and Russia.
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