India completes nuclear triad with INS Arihant’s first patrol

NEW DELHI, Nov 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday triumphantly announced that India’s first indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant, has successfully completed its first deterrence patrol and that the success of the submarine “gives a fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail”, in his first comments on the top-secret Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.

The fully operational submarine completes the sea leg of India’s nuclear triad, giving it enduring nuclear strike and counterstrike capabilities.

“Today is historic because it marks the completing of the successful establishment of the nuclear triad. India’s nuclear triad will be an important pillar of global peace and stability,” Modi wrote in a series of tweets on Arihant.

The United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China are the only countries that can deliver nuclear warheads from a submarine.

The 6,000-tonne Arihant, which means destroyer of enemies, is armed with 12 B-05 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) capable of delivering nuclear warheads up to 750km away. The range, however, is a limitation and India needs to deploy SLBMs capable of striking targets thousands of kilometres away, experts said.

“True to its name, INS Arihant will protect the 130 crore Indians from external threats,” Modi said in another tweet on India’s newest nuclear delivery platform, after meeting the boat’s crew on Monday. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said INS Arihant had “recently returned” from its maiden deterrence patrol.

What does this actually mean? “The submarine is fully operational now, the crew has worked and the missiles are loaded. It will stay on continuous deterrence patrols and when the signal goes out from New Delhi to INS Arihant, it should be able to launch a nuclear missile,” explained Admiral Arun Prakash, a former navy chief.

India, Egypt decide to boost defence cooperation

NEW DELHI, Sept 23: India and Egypt have decided to ramp up their defence and security ties which will include boosting counter-terror cooperation and carrying out joint exercises by their militaries, officials said.

The decisions were taken during talks between defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Egyptian counterpart general Mohamed Ahmed Zaki in Cairo.

She was on a two-day visit to Egypt from September 20.

Officials said Sitharaman and Mohamed also deliberated on expanding naval cooperation between the two countries and explored possibilities of joint production of defence equipment.

They said both the sides are working towards holding joint exercises between their militaries.

“They reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation activities and discussed potential opportunities to further deepen ties and exchanges in the defence sphere,” the defence ministry said.

It said the ministers decided to explore deeper cooperation in the fields of defence industry including joint production of military equipment.

“Both sides reaffirmed their intent to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism. Naval cooperation, including cooperation in maritime domain awareness, was identified as an area of potential,” it said.

The ministry said India and Egypt would also intensify training interactions between their militaries.

India to spend $1 billion on advanced air defense system from US

NEW DELHI, Aug 1: India has quietly approved a plan to the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System-II through a government-to government deal with United States.

The moves comes before September 6 “2+2 dialogue” between defense and foreign ministers of India and United States here to bolster bilateral defense and strategic partnership.

The apex defense procurement body, Defense Acquisition Council, headed by Defense Minister Nirmarla Sitaraman, has approved the buy of hte NASAMS-II, manufactured by Kongsberg and Raytheon, at more than $1 billion, a Ministry of Defense official confirmed.

The new system will replace India’s aging Russian Pechora air defense systems that protect strategic assets and locations, said an Indian air force official.

If this program is approved by the U.S., the deal will be expedited through foreign military sales. India is expected to issue the letter of request by end of this year.

IAF official noted that NASAMS-II will have to be modified to India specific requirements and will integrated with the service’s integrated command & control system.