BARC Developing 190-MW Reactors to Power India's SSN, SSBN Subs, and Future Nuclear Aircraft Carrier

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing powerful 190-MW nuclear reactors, a crucial step towards realizing the Indian Navy's ambitious submarine programs and potentially paving the way for a domestically-built nuclear aircraft carrier.

These reactors will power the upcoming P-77 nuclear attack submarines (SSN) and the S5 class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), significantly boosting India's naval capabilities.

While the Indian Navy has long aspired to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the high development costs associated with a dedicated program posed a significant hurdle.

However, a retired BARC official revealed that the 190-MW reactors, configured in a twin setup, could provide the necessary power for a 70,000-ton nuclear aircraft carrier. This approach offers a cost-effective solution by leveraging the reactors developed for the submarine programs.

By initially deploying these reactors in submarines, BARC and the Indian Navy can gain valuable experience and streamline production processes. This is expected to lower manufacturing costs for a potential nuclear aircraft carrier program in the future.

Furthermore, the Navy will focus on building a skilled workforce capable of maintaining and operating these advanced reactors, ensuring a sustainable supply chain and reducing long-term development costs.

In addition to the reactors, the Indian Navy is keen on incorporating cutting-edge technologies like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) for its third domestically manufactured aircraft carrier.

These systems will enhance the carrier's operational capabilities, allowing it to launch aircraft like the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) with full payloads, a critical requirement for naval operations in the Indian Ocean region.

The development of these 190-MW reactors not only strengthens India's submarine capabilities but also lays the groundwork for future naval ambitions. By investing in advanced nuclear technology and developing a skilled workforce, the Indian Navy is poised to significantly enhance its operational prowess. The successful integration of these reactors could redefine the strategic landscape of maritime power in the region.

 

[sanket]

Good to see 190 MW reactor finding its way in Aircraft carrier too after Submarine, if Twin configuration can serve 70000 Ton AC then for 45000 Ton single 190MW reactor .........???

 

[desigandu]

Great, if we can develop HEU reactors that don’t require refueling every 7-10 years, at least for our future nuclear submarines…

 

[R. Singh]

That's good BARC make ship life support reactors to power our warships , once succeed Directorate of Naval design should plan 75000-80000 ton nuclear powered ACs !

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

90mw reactor easily used in 10000 tonne ships. We can build navy with many 10000tonne ships. So future ship no need of fossil fuel and long endurance. So existing 90mw sub reactor will be very useful.

 

[Sandeep]

90mw reactor easily used in 10000 tonne ships. We can build navy with many 10000tonne ships. So future ship no need of fossil fuel and long endurance. So existing 90mw sub reactor will be very useful.

No for carriers 90MW doesn’t have enough power. You need much more power to power all of the equipment and technology otherwise it wouldn’t work at all.

 

[Sandeep]

Developing the 190MW reactor for our S5 class SSBN is essential because of the huge power requirements and the necessity to keep them hidden under the water. The submarines are also much larger and carries a lot of heavy equipment and nuclear missiles which is why they need that large amount of power.

Using the same reactor or multiple reactors to power our carriers is certainly possible as the technology has already been developed. The navy now needs to decide on the size of the carriers, equipment, technology and number of jets and helicopters it will carry.

Ideally the navy should quickly manufacture another 45000t Vikrant class carrier in the short term so that it can enter service in about 6-8 years to replace the Vikramaditya carrier which is over 35 years old now or keep that in service for another 10-15 years and operate 3 carriers. In that time India should make designs and develop a brand new 80000t carrier so that it can meet the growing threat from China. Also their large 80000t carriers and an indigenous proposed 65000t carrier can’t carry the large number of jets, helicopters or drones that’s needed to meet their threat. Using the same nuclear plant can power the carrier but they should look at the lifecycle cost of using nuclear fuel versus diesel fuel, maintenance costs, refuel requirements, operational expenses, safety and the navy’s military doctrine etc.

 

[Anant]

90mw reactor easily used in 10000 tonne ships. We can build navy with many 10000tonne ships. So future ship no need of fossil fuel and long endurance. So existing 90mw sub reactor will be very useful.

Nope. Surface nuclear ships that aren't carriers or icebreakers are too expensive to build, operate, and maintain. They aren't worth it.

 

[NSR]

Single configuration 190 MW Nuke Reactor to man SSBNs and SSNs is of the highest importance.
We need them ASAP to checkmate aggressive Chinese ccp designs on Indian Ocean area dominance.

Nuke carrier is a long range and noble objective Indian Navy can have and nurture.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

In addition to 190 MW being useful to Navy for various initiatives, it should be India's SMR initiative and should be deployed in a fleet mode all over the country replacing old cold fired power plants as well as floating nuclear power plants. Govt must make adequate and required funds available to BARC for this initiative, as a strategic project of top most importance.

 

[GolGappa]

I think Russians r helping us in this one too. Also we already have 83 MW reactor so we can always use 2 or 3 of them in our Aircraft carrier. Though Miniaturisation & development of new 190 MW SMR is very much needed. But Work on EMALS & AAG shd be started right now. Also This 190 MW SMR can help us in our Moon Base, from some reports i found out that russians want to collab with india & provide their SMR know how to estd Joint Moon base as Chinese led ILRS has kept Russians as Junior partner from which Russians r very unhappy.

Also Work on Thorium based reactors, AHWR and MSR shd also be accelerated.
Energy is real MONEY, if we got unlimited cheap source, we can create literally anything using it.

 

[Snapper Snap]

Hopeful in future all trains Planes cars trucks could benefit from such minature thorium based mini reactors.

 

[Akshat]

I think Russians r helping us in this one too. Also we already have 83 MW reactor so we can always use 2 or 3 of them in our Aircraft carrier. Though Miniaturisation & development of new 190 MW SMR is very much needed. But Work on EMALS & AAG shd be started right now. Also This 190 MW SMR can help us in our Moon Base, from some reports i found out that russians want to collab with india & provide their SMR know how to estd Joint Moon base as Chinese led ILRS has kept Russians as Junior partner from which Russians r very unhappy.

We have had no help at all in nuclear reactors (for Submarines) from Russia. To a question directly asking if we got any help, the head of the agency responsible for this specifically said that the reactors India is making are designed, fabricated and manufactured solely by India with no help from anyone. This is the direct reply of GoI.

 

[GolGappa]

Hopeful in future all trains Planes cars trucks could benefit from such minature thorium based mini reactors.

Miniature thorium reactors ?? that is atleast 200 years in future. We dont have even normal THorium reactor right now and will only get one in 50 years minimum