For a first-gen effort, the Arihant has a very streamlined silhouette 
If she is packing K4s under that hull, they have done a truly remarkable job!
If she is packing K4s under that hull, they have done a truly remarkable job!
Arihant-class SSBN - News & Discussions
- Thread starter Nick
- Start date
That one is not too massive, actually not too different from prime, just slightly more dia wise about few hundred mm more. So unless they intended Arihant to be solely pak centric (it could be) it should be able to handle that. The part that kinda bugs me is why so many versions of SLBMs are considered for operation from both logistics and longevity pov , and across a variety of ssbn systems , from tiny arihant class to slightly big S4 to enlarged next gen class.
The K series are lighter than the Agni series. Some reports mention a 12m length, no definitive figure for diameter ( but likely well below 2m) while K15 apparently is around 10.5m tall. Arihant apparently has a 17m dia hull.
en.m.wikipedia.org
Not a reliable source, I know. But if it's anywhere close to the real figure, then we have plenty of room for the next-gen K6 intercontinental SLBM on the Arihant and her sisters, without having to add a hump like the PLAN Jin class SSBN or the Russian Delta 4.
K-4 (missile) - Wikipedia
Not a reliable source, I know. But if it's anywhere close to the real figure, then we have plenty of room for the next-gen K6 intercontinental SLBM on the Arihant and her sisters, without having to add a hump like the PLAN Jin class SSBN or the Russian Delta 4.
Well we know the previous gen slbm dia definitively by imagining a 2 stage ASAT first stage twice in appropriate proportion, and possibly the newest one too now. The unknown factor will always be the SSBN tube dia, that no one will ever know outside a very core group. No one can tell what is the dia of Arihant silo tubes, and there you can do multipacking more. Hence the full capacity will not be known. First gen atv vessel is more of a hybrid role player, doing sort of ssn job in guise of ssbn. But for proper high end slbm, we will need high end carrier ssbn as well that can handle launching a high end very long range system which is not the case as of yet.
Also there is no confirmation of any K6. If we go by proof, drdo plan showed one single SLBM config, 3 staged and long range with full crmc plus additional features. It made little sense to have 4 5 6 all. There should be 1 or 2 versions max. proper sized, properly packed.
Also there is no confirmation of any K6. If we go by proof, drdo plan showed one single SLBM config, 3 staged and long range with full crmc plus additional features. It made little sense to have 4 5 6 all. There should be 1 or 2 versions max. proper sized, properly packed.
photo: INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵, date unknown.
thread
#ASA from INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 (𝗦𝟯), 2nd Indian #SSBN whose characteristics have been confusing since 2017. In any case: the permanence of the oceanic component would be achieved in 2025.
29 August 2024: #ASA of the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 (𝗦𝟯) during a ceremony at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, presided over by Rajnath SINGH, Rakṣā Mantrī (30 May 2019). Only the reception by the guard of honour was captured on film.
————-
Salvo from INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 : more VLSs or new VLSs?
« It would have double the number of missile hatches than its predecessor. It can carry more missiles and also will have a more powerful reactor ». Source: #IndianNavy
Quoted in : Gadde SAMBASIVA RAO, « Nuclear sub INS Aridhaman ready for hush-hush launch anytime soon », 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢, 17 novembre 2017, Nuclear sub INS Aridhaman ready for hush-hush launch anytime soon | Visakhapatnam News - Times of India
The Indian press repeats that the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 would have the same dimensions as its predecessor.
Hypothesis:
Hypothesis 1
Misunderstanding of the source's intention, which was aimed at INS 𝘈𝘳𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯 (𝗦𝟰), which was to benefit from 8 x VLS (visible in satellite imagery) and whose christening name was previously intended for INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 (𝗦𝟯). The error would remain since 2017 due to repeats of the quote.
Hypothesis 2
The hull of the SSBN-81 INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 would be ~130 metres long, compared to the 111.6 m of the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵 (𝗦𝟮). The new missile section would have 8 x VLSs, all "in line", instead of the 4 of the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵.
Variant: hull still 111.6 m long but the missile section would have 8 x VLSs in two parallel lines, which would require a new hydrodynamic hull design.
Surface displacement logically increased to ~7,000 t.
The nominal thermal power of the 𝗦𝟯 onboard nuclear reactor would be greater than that of the 𝗦𝟮 (83 MW th) on the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵.
Hypothesis 3
Tranche missiles would be drilled at 4 x VLS, but the tubes would not be the same as those in the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵.
[———]
INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 would have received "P80" VLSs: diameter assumed to be around 2 m+ as they were to receive not only the #SLBM K-4 (diameter: 1.3 m), but above all the future K-5 and K-6 (~2 m+).
Example: "P80" with a diameter of 2.30 m would make it possible, with an "adapter", to ensilage up to 6 x K-15, making it possible to double the burst (IV x 6 K-15) compared with INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵 (IV x 3 K-15).
INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 would it be :
- The advancement of Indian nuclear planning (Hypothesis no. 2) by an 𝗦𝟯 with the characteristics (~130 m, ~7,000 t, 8 x VLS) of the 𝗦𝟰, 𝗦𝟰* to standardise the 1st squadron of Indian #SSBNs around the same salvo (8 x VLS P80)?
- Accelerating development (Hypothesis 3) of the #SLBM K-5 and K-6 by obtaining a test platform with their VLS P80 ?
/end
thread
#ASA from INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 (𝗦𝟯), 2nd Indian #SSBN whose characteristics have been confusing since 2017. In any case: the permanence of the oceanic component would be achieved in 2025.
29 August 2024: #ASA of the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 (𝗦𝟯) during a ceremony at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, presided over by Rajnath SINGH, Rakṣā Mantrī (30 May 2019). Only the reception by the guard of honour was captured on film.
————-
Salvo from INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 : more VLSs or new VLSs?
« It would have double the number of missile hatches than its predecessor. It can carry more missiles and also will have a more powerful reactor ». Source: #IndianNavy
Quoted in : Gadde SAMBASIVA RAO, « Nuclear sub INS Aridhaman ready for hush-hush launch anytime soon », 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢, 17 novembre 2017, Nuclear sub INS Aridhaman ready for hush-hush launch anytime soon | Visakhapatnam News - Times of India
The Indian press repeats that the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 would have the same dimensions as its predecessor.
Hypothesis:
Hypothesis 1
Misunderstanding of the source's intention, which was aimed at INS 𝘈𝘳𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯 (𝗦𝟰), which was to benefit from 8 x VLS (visible in satellite imagery) and whose christening name was previously intended for INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 (𝗦𝟯). The error would remain since 2017 due to repeats of the quote.
Hypothesis 2
The hull of the SSBN-81 INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 would be ~130 metres long, compared to the 111.6 m of the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵 (𝗦𝟮). The new missile section would have 8 x VLSs, all "in line", instead of the 4 of the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵.
Variant: hull still 111.6 m long but the missile section would have 8 x VLSs in two parallel lines, which would require a new hydrodynamic hull design.
Surface displacement logically increased to ~7,000 t.
The nominal thermal power of the 𝗦𝟯 onboard nuclear reactor would be greater than that of the 𝗦𝟮 (83 MW th) on the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵.
Hypothesis 3
Tranche missiles would be drilled at 4 x VLS, but the tubes would not be the same as those in the INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵.
[———]
INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 would have received "P80" VLSs: diameter assumed to be around 2 m+ as they were to receive not only the #SLBM K-4 (diameter: 1.3 m), but above all the future K-5 and K-6 (~2 m+).
Example: "P80" with a diameter of 2.30 m would make it possible, with an "adapter", to ensilage up to 6 x K-15, making it possible to double the burst (IV x 6 K-15) compared with INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵 (IV x 3 K-15).
INS 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘵 would it be :
- The advancement of Indian nuclear planning (Hypothesis no. 2) by an 𝗦𝟯 with the characteristics (~130 m, ~7,000 t, 8 x VLS) of the 𝗦𝟰, 𝗦𝟰* to standardise the 1st squadron of Indian #SSBNs around the same salvo (8 x VLS P80)?
- Accelerating development (Hypothesis 3) of the #SLBM K-5 and K-6 by obtaining a test platform with their VLS P80 ?
/end
You're right! The K4 booster was in fact used in the Mission Shakti/PDV Mk2 ASAT interceptor.
That's probably going to take closer to 2040 but what's heartening is we seem to have built significant expertise in N-sub design, construction and maintenance (95% local content on current boats iirc)
Check this 2017 article by Sandeep Unnithan. Behind a paywall now though.
From India Today magazine: A peek into India's top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines
Information about the ATV project is meagre. It operates directly under the supervision of national security advisor Ajit Doval and is now wrapped in deep levels of secrecy.
How interesting...
Indian K4 & K5 missiles can hit China & Pakistan both & if needed to much of the Europe from the safety of Bay Of Bengal .....
k4 unlikely , unless a smaller payload is given. Think of ASAT first stage, then another similar but shorter stage on top and that is K4 sort of. Maybe if it is given the crmc treatment then it might have extended range. It used to have full metallic body from the early test period in 2013. If that is replaced with composite stages then range can go up a bit.
How interesting...
Indian K4 & K5 missiles can hit China & Pakistan both & if needed to much of the Europe from the safety of Bay Of Bengal .....
The new one, no telling about it. Its massive hydra.
This is China-level psyops. Had only seen videos of Russian missile subs firing SLBM salvos till date. India is catching up fast.
Wish they publicised such launches for us fanboys to feast our eyes on.
Wish they publicised such launches for us fanboys to feast our eyes on.
Well we have seen the vid but its too small. Literally 1 sec clip. From the look not even possible to see what is it, I guess having the capability is what matters.
Delhi defence review had posted some high resolution video inadvertently, made private immediately.
Its the same clip, only maybe slight low spec due to twitter downgrading, non bluecheck usual case of lower spec video.
Since the clip was posted by a different twitter acc already, a gif created from that clip. Its too fast so you won't notice , the first trail is cut off where the motor burn glow is right there leaving the screen ie the video is somewhat fastened.