ARIHANT CLASS

Project Update: Arihant was launched on 26 July 2009. This will be followed by sea trials in 2009-10 and possible commissioning in 2011-12.

Vessel Type: Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN).

Future Commissions: Arihant S73; Laid Down - Not Known, Launched - 26 July 2009, Commissioning - 2011/2012.
...........................S??; Laid Down - Not Known, Launched - TBA, Commissioning - TBA.
...........................S??; Laid Down - Not Known, Launched - TBA, Commissioning - TBA.

Displacement: 6000 tons (estimate)

Dimensions: Length - 112 meters (367 feet)
................Draught - 10 meters (33 feet)
................Beam - 15 meters (49 feet)

Maximum Speed: Submerged; 24 knots.
.......................Surfaced; 12 - 15 knots.

Maximum Range: Unlimited.

Diving Depth: 300 meters (984 feet).

Complement: 95 personnel.

Sonar Suite: Fitted with an Indian sonar (USHUS) developed by the Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of the Indian Navy and by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Comments: The Arihant Class submarines were designed and constructed as a part of the Indian Navy's Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. The project started with the intent to design SSNs (nuclear-powered, fast attack submarines), though over time the project was re-aligned towards the design of a SSBN (ballistic missile submarine) in order to complete India's nuclear triad. The project faced many challenges including design and miniaturization of the nuclear reactor.

The vessels are to be powered by an 85 megawatt, pressurized water reactor (PWR) with enriched uranium fuel. 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. 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. 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. Reports have suggested that the hulls for two more vessels are under construction at the L&T Hazira yard and will be transported to Visakhapatnam as Arihant has been moved from the dry dock.

This top secret project has facilities in New Delhi, at Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh and at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. The naval wing of DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) manages the organization and since 1985 has always had a retired Vice Admiral in charge. Vice Admiral Bharat Bhushan is the first known Director General of the program. In late 2000, the project was given a new lease of life with the appointment of Vice Admiral R.N. Ganesh (Retd) to take charge. An experienced submariner, he was the first commander of INS Chakra. In early 2004, Vice Admiral P.C. Bhasin (Retd) was appointed as the head of the ATV program, as he was the former Chief of Material. As per a news article in domain-B - dated 19 May 2007 - Vice Admiral Arun Kumar Singh (Retd) was appointed as the new Director General (DG) of the highly-classified ATV program. He too had commanded INS Chakra during her service with the Indian Navy. He also commanded submarine shore establishments, INS Virbahu and INS Satvahana and served as the Director of Submarine Operations. As the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Submarines), he authored the Indian Navy's 30 year submarine construction program and was also responsible for the modernisation of the submarine force, primarily the Sindhugosh Class boats.

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