New Delhi: Marking its entry into an elite club, India will launch its first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine at Vishakapatnam sea port for trial on July 26.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will launch the submarine at the Vishakapatnam port in the presence of top Defence and Navy officials, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy told reporters in New Delhi on Saturday.
Code-named Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV), India has been quite secretive about its nuclear submarine project. To be christened INS Arihant (destroyer of enemies), the nuclear submarine is among the five in the class already approved by the government to create a strong nuclear submarine fleet.
The sea trial of the 7,000-tonne submarine will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal off Vishakapatnam, where the vessel was constructed.
Once inducted, India will join the high league comprising US, Russia, France and China, which have capabilities to develop nuclear submarines.
The ATV will carry submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). The DRDO is already working on a SLBM based on a 3,500-km range Agni-III and had recently conducted tests on the eastern coast.
The induction of ATV will help India to complete the nuclear weapon triad, as envisaged under its nuclear doctrine, that comprises of surface-launched, air-launched and submarine-launched nuke-tipped missiles.
Two decades ago, India had operated a nuclear submarine christened INS Chakra, leased from Russia for three years.
Moscow will again lease out two Akula-class nuclear submarines to New Delhi for 10 years. The plans, though, have been delayed due to a mishap involving the Akula-II during sea trials late last year.
But hopes have soared for the delivery of the first of the Akula submarines after Russia took out the repaired vessel once again for sea trials early this month.