S5-class submarine
S5 is the code name for a planned class of Indian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines currently being developed for Indian Navy. S5 will weigh around twice as much as the preceding Arihant-class submarine. It is expected to start production by 2022.[1][5]
An artistic impression of the S5-class submarine | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators | Indian Navy |
| Preceded by | Arihant class |
| Planned | 3[1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine |
| Displacement | 13,500 tonnes (13,300 long tons; 14,900 short tons)[1] |
| Propulsion |
|
| Range | Unlimited |
| Armament | 12-16 × K6 MIRVed SLBM (10,000 km (6,200 mi) to 12,000 km (7,500 mi) range) or K-4 SLBM (3,500 km or 2,200 mi range)[4][1] |
Design
The S5-class of submarines are planned to weigh around 13,500 tonnes (13,300 long tons; 14,900 short tons).[5] They are planned to be armed with up to twelve or sixteen K6 Submarine-launched ballistic missiles, each armed with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles.[1][4]
Development
The Government of India made an assessment of India's capability to design and construct a class of three new ballistic missile submarines codenamed S5 in 2006 when it was realised that the reactor and payload capacity of the Arihant-class submarines was limited. These submarines were initially planned to be operationalised beginning in 2021 but were later delayed. This delay had prompted the Indian Government to sanction an additional Arihant-class submarine in 2012 to avoid the idling of the production line.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Unnithan, Sandeep (10 December 2017). "A peek into India's top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines". India Today. from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ "Founder's Day Speech, Director, BARC" (PDF). Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "DAE (Excellence in Science, Engineering & Technology) Awards 2010" (PDF). BARC Newsletter (322): 33. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ a b "India's Undersea Deterrent". Saurav Jha. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ a b Pandit, Rajat (5 November 2018). "Nuclear submarine INS Arihant completes patrol, country's N-triad operational". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 January 2020.