nuclear-powered submarine at Vishakapatnam for trial on July 26.Andhra
Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy conveyed this to
journalists here on Saturday after meeting Dr. Singh to discuss
various issues pertaining to the State. Top defence and Navy officials
will participate in the programme.The top-secret 'Advanced Technology
Vessel' (ATV) project will re-induct India into the exclusive club of
five countries that operate nuclear submarines, called silent killers
for their extensive ability to remain under water because of
nuclear-powered engines unlike the diesel electric versions that have
to come up to recharge their batteries and thus stand a greater chance
of being spotted. India briefly used a nuclear submarine leased by
Russia from 1988 to 1991. Since then it has been trying to build one
of its own. It has signed an agreement for the transfer of a couple of
nuclear-powered Russian Akula class submarines, one of which is likely
to be inducted by the Indian Navy this year itself. The sea trials are
just the beginning of a difficult testing process for the ATV and are
likely to last two years till it is cleared for operational
duty.Conceived in the 70s, the project became operational in the
mid-80s and while its existence was public knowledge, the government
was in consistent denial about it. At Navy Day press conferences year
after year, the Navy Chiefs denied knowledge about the project.
However, recently Defence Minister A.K. Antony said the project was in
its final stages.According to reports, the submarine might be named
INS Arihant (destroyer of enemies). More than becoming a member of a
group comprising the U.S., Russia, China, France and the U.K., the
nuclear submarine will give India a credible three-leg nuclear
deterrent. India has ground based missiles and aircraft that can
deliver nuclear warheads but needed a nuclear submarine that can slip
under water and emerge to strike at a time and place of its choosing.
The Hindu, July 19
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