India has become the sixth country in the world to build a nuclear-powered submarine capable of firing ballistic missiles. Moscow played a key role in the construction of the current sub, and has agreed to lease another.
The INS Arihant is India’s new nuclear submarine, which completes its plans for effective nuclear deterrence.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stressed that his country has no plans of aggression.
“We do not have any aggressive designs, nor do we seek to threaten anyone. Nevertheless, it is incumbent upon us to take all possible measures necessary to safeguard our country and to keep pace with the technological developments taking place worldwide.”
India plans to create a blue-water Navy to safeguard its interests in the Indian Ocean, and to defend against any attack.
While it is building its own warships and submarines, which take several years, it makes sense for India to use the expertise of other countries that already have powerful navies. This is where Russia fits in.
“There has been some participation with the design, architects, in whatever manner it was required, that was worked out between the two governments. This is one example of partnership, partnership to the extent that new technologies need to be inducted,” India's Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said.
Russia will be giving India one of its Akula class nuclear submarines on a 10-year lease. This submarine, which has completed the first stage of sea trials in Russia, is far more advanced than the INS Arihant and will be operational earlier too.
This cooperation with Russia is a key part of an ambitious military modernization programme by India, which has hiked its military budget in the current financial year by 24% to $28.4 billion.
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