Submarines- Types, Strength

Submarines are considered the most potent offensive military platforms. While conventional diesel-electric submarines have limited range and endurance, nuclear powered submarines are free of such limitations.

Nuclear submarines are of two types:

1. Nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) and 

2. Ballistic nuclear submarines (SSBN).

Ballistic nuclear submarines (SSBN):

SSBNs are specifically meant to carry missiles armed with nuclear warheads and assure a nation’s second strike capability if attacked first by nuclear weapons.

• India’s first SSBN Arihant powered by a 83 MW ncuelar reactor has been under sea-trials since 2009 and is all set for commissioning. At least two more boats of the same class are in various stages of construction.

Nuclear attack submarines (SSNs):

In February last, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the design and construction of six SSNs domestically. By the approval, the government had converted part of the ambitious 30-year, 24 submarine building plan from conventional to nuclear.

• The plan is to design and build an indigenous SSN based on the experience gained from Arihant and they will be built at the same Submarine Building Complex in Vizag.

The programme is on track and the design phase is progressing as per schedule, officials said without elaborating further.

Present Strength:

Indian Navy currently operates thirteen conventional submarines and one nuclear attack submarine leased from Russia. 

• Russia has  leased an Akula class nuclear attack submarine to India for 10 years as a package deal along with aircraft carrier Vikramaditya which was commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Chakra in 2012.

In contrast, China operates five SSNs, four SSBNs and over 50 conventional submarines.