Nuclear-powered submarine: Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies) or Dharanihant (Destroyer of Earth) ?
On July 26, 2009, India also joined the exclusive club of USA, Russia, France, Britain and China by launching its first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh marked the occassion as fulfillment of years of hard work, dedication and perseverance of the countrymen, while reminding the nation that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”. The war vessel is named INS “Arihant” (destroyer of enemies)
There is abslotely no doubt that this feat is a “demonstrator” of the technology competency of premier indian reserach organisations DRDO and BARC. However, I have been bewildered by a logical confusion, which is attributable to the potential threat of submersing a nuclear-fuelled warship in the “territorial waters” of the nation.
DRDO Officials say that the nuclear-powered submarine can remain under water for a long duration as compared to a diesel-fired submarine, which has to rise to the surface everyday for ejecting the carbon dioxide produced by the diesel-generator (Boat’s crew will have problems otherwise). The warship can launch, from under water, K-15 ballistic missiles capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. – Scientists say.
The concern is that we are parking a vessel loaded with nuclear materials under sea, which is a place of mysteries. Also there is no assurance that a submarine can always remain hid to the electronic eyes of the enemies. While I’m not knowledgable enough to comment on the forethoughts made by the designers of the submarine and the safeguards inbuilt in the vessel, I can imagine the potential devastation likely to this part of the world in the event of wreck of the submarine in war or otherwise.
It is true that five other countries are confidentaly trying nuclear-powered submarines. The scientists might have provided adequate security in the nuclear-powered submarines, as they are brainy enough to foresee the risks involved. I articulate these thoughts, only because I’m concerned about my country and its territorial waters. After all, this sub-continent always hold ripples of war tension.
It may be a very foolish question from my part – Are we not partnering with a Dharanihant (destroyer of earth), the nuclear satan in chains ?
R.S. Praveen Raj
Scientist – IP Management & Technology Transfer
National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST),
(Formerly RRL, Trivandrum), Industrial Estate P.O., Pappanamcode,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695 019
