Opinion
 
Strategic importance of , Indian nuclear sub
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April 13, 2012
The Indian Navy has finally inducted its first nuclear-powered submarine INS Chakra-II and started a new arms race in south Asia. It is working on two main goals: first, to become a “blue water navy” which can operate in high seas; second, to counter China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean. India's maritime force structure reveals it is seeking to attain a sea-denial capability in the Indian Ocean and beyond. India has become the sixth country to run nuclear submarines; the other five countries are Britain, China, France, the US and Russia. The INS Chakra II will be based at Visakhapatnam, a naval shipyard on the country’s southeast coast in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

According to Indian defence minister induction of nuclear powered submarine would be a big boost for the navy. This submarine is capable of firing a range of torpedoes as well as nuclear-tipped Granat cruise missiles. Such a capability would give the Indian Navy an edge over Pakistan Navy and some resisting power against China.

INS Chakra-II is capable of cruising at high speed, remaining submerged for months. It is difficult to be detected by sonar and is also loaded with potent firepower, which makes it dangerous for Pakistan’s maritime interests in case of war with India. Unlike the conventional submarines that need to surface every day to recharge their batteries, Chakra-II did not surface even once during its two-month voyage from Russia to the eastern coast of India, navigating through the South China Sea in the process. INS Chakra-II is reputed to be one of the stealthiest and deadliest submarines in the world. Its induction shows that India is heading towards a stronger presence in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond its maritime borders.

The Indian Navy Chief has asserted: “INS Chakra will increase our flexibility and capability immensely”. Without any doubt, this submarine would give India an edge over Pakistan in any future conflict at sea.” It is necessary for Pakistan to counter such a development and come up with adequate response to meet this imminent threat. INS Chakra has been bought on a 10-year lease from Russia in almost $1 billion deal. It can do without refueling in its entire lifetime. However, what makes it different from the conventional submarines is that its nearly 100 crew members have to wear a dosey meter that monitors the radiation imbibed by their bodies.

The main part of this submarine is its nuclear reactor which has been manufactured by Russians. Its displacement is around 8,140 tonnes. With a maximum speed of 30 knots, the vessel can go up to 600 meters in water and has an endurance of 100 days with a crew of 73. Although this nuclear sub would give teeth to Indian Navy, it would also be vulnerable to nuclear accidents. Any minor technical fault in the nuclear reactor may result in a fatal accident. But these types of threats go along with such systems. Although this submarine will be nuclear propelled, it wouldn't come with a nuclear tipped ballistic missile. India is developing this capability discretely with Russia. The Indian Navy is also planning to induct its indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant by the end of this year.

INS Arihant will be able to carry 12 Sagarika K15 SLBMs which have a range of about 700 km in four silos. K15 is in the advance stages of development with the DRDO which is also developing a SLBM version of Agni-III numbered K-4. Four of these missiles can be carried in place of K15, which will have a much longer range than Sagarika. Apart from this, the Indian Navy also plans to induct more nuclear subs. According to reports, the India navy has started work on the construction of its second nuclear submarine at a classified facility in Visakhapatnam.

It is reported that the manufacture of hull and body has begun and Russia is helping to construct reactor. It is a possibility that in 2015 India would be ready for sea trials of this nuclear sub. The Indian Navy plans to add almost five indigenously-built nuclear-powered submarines in next decade which may cost almost $2.9 billion. At this particular time India may not possess sea-based second strike capability but with these capabilities in place it will achieve its desired goal of achieving a triad at sea with nuclear powered submarine and nuclear tipped ballistic missiles.

It is imperative for Pakistan to monitor the Indian nuclear subs programme and come up with a passable retort keeping in view its economic fragility and lack of financial resources.

The author is Research Fellow at South Asian Strategic Stability Institute Islamabad and can be reached at Masood.khatak@gmail.com

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