(In Pics) INS Arihant: Navy's crown jewel and India's protector against 'nuclear blackmail'

First Published Dec 3, 2018, 2:03 PM IST

Ahead of Navy Day on December 4, the nation raises a toast to the indigenously-built nuclear submarine INS Arihant that has helped India to become the sixth country to have a nuclear triad
 

New Delhi: Ahead of Navy Day, on December 4, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba reminded the nation that after the first deterrence patrol of the indigenously-built nuclear-propelled submarine INS Arihant, India has activated the third and most reliable part of the nuclear triad — the ability to deliver a nuclear weapon by air, land and sea. India became the sixth country to have a nuclear triad after the US, UK, France, Russia and China.
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Here are some facts about INS Arihant: INS Arihant completed its first deterrence patrol in November and the historic feat was seen as an important milestone in enhancing the country's strategic position in the world.
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INS Arihant was launched on July 26, 2009 — the anniversary of Vijay Diwas, which marked the nation's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war.
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INS Arihant is armed with 12 K-15 missiles, each with a range of 750km, as well as four K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, each with a range of 3,500km.
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"The achievement of INS Arihant and the nuclear triad will further India's strategic and security interests. It also reaffirms India's historical commitment to peaceful coexistence," said BJP president Amit Shah.
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The submarine is a part of the Indian Navy's Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project operated under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
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The crew of INS Arihant consists of 100 members and they have been trained by Russian specialists.
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After INS Arihant completed its first deterrence patrol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the underwater war boat was a "fitting response" to those who indulged in "nuclear blackmail".
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