Kalpakkam: The Prime Minister inaugurated the country's maiden nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant, but its heart was kept concealed.
But for the first time, NDTV brings you details about the novel nuclear reactor that powers this submarine.
At the heart of this ship is a small nuclear reactor, built in a secret facility of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Kalpakkam.
This compact and clean uncluttered reactor has been made in India and uses highly enriched uranium.
"There are many new things in this reactor," said Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission.
This novel Indian reactor has been running without a hitch for the last three years. It produces 80 MW of power and can propel the 6,000 ton supine beauty upto peak speeds of 70 km per hour and the submarine can remain hidden for as long as three months at a stretch.
The reactor on the submarine will be fired a few months from now after rigorous testing is over in Vizag.
Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the father of India's atomic energy programme, must be a happy man as this new reactor which will power India's nuclear submarine will provide India with its much needed second strike capability.