How Refined 83 MW PWR on INS Arighat Boosts its Stealth and Endurance Compared to INS Arihant

The Indian Navy's newly commissioned INS Arighat, the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in its class, represents a significant technological leap over its predecessor, INS Arihant.

Key to this advancement is its upgraded and refined 83 MW pressurized water reactor (PWR), which not only enhances operational endurance but also significantly improves stealth capabilities.

The optimized PWR on INS Arighat reduces its acoustic signature, making it more difficult for enemy sonar systems to detect. This, coupled with substantial upgrades to its sonar and electronic systems, provides INS Arighat with superior underwater detection capabilities and situational awareness, crucial for modern naval warfare.

In contrast, INS Arihant, while groundbreaking in its own right as India's first SSBN, operates with an older generation PWR and less advanced onboard systems. This translates to a larger acoustic signature and less effective detection capabilities, making it comparatively easier to track and potentially neutralize.

The enhanced endurance provided by Arighat's refined PWR allows for longer submerged patrols, reducing the need for frequent surfacing and refueling, which can compromise stealth. Arihant, with its less efficient reactor, requires more frequent breaks in its submerged operations, increasing its vulnerability.

Furthermore, the advanced design and manufacturing techniques employed in constructing INS Arighat contribute to a more robust and inherently stealthy submarine platform. The use of special materials and complex engineering solutions further minimizes its detectability.

In essence, INS Arighat's 83 MW PWR, combined with its other technological enhancements, delivers a quantum leap in both stealth and endurance. This makes Arighat a far more potent strategic asset, capable of extended submerged deterrence patrols and remaining undetected for longer periods, greatly enhancing India's nuclear second-strike capability.

 

[PKPRS]

Great, induct more at-least 1-2 per year.

 

[M S Chatterji]

Good warning to China to stay out of creating trouble in Indian Ocean.

 

[Frank]

We need 8 SSBN, 10 SSN and 30 SSK (with AIP n VLS) before 2040.
Also is 180 MW PWR ready???
Pleade finish this fast and start building SSN..

 

[Sudeep Purkayastha]

Small but steady steps in the right direction. Better late than never. Indian Navy must be complemented for creating a formidable force.

 

[WarTech]

While it is good that new nuclear subs are being built, we need new SLBMs with atleast 7000km range for deterrence against China, and make sure that our subs aren't destroyed by counter fire. We need modern subs with VLS. While we are taking small steps, we also need to think long term.

 

[swatkats_razor]

I thought the follow-on to Arihant were planned with slightly more powerful reactors. But the news lists potentially the same 83 PWR has been used for INS Aridhaman too.

 

[R. Singh]

BARC need to develop 175+MW reactors for S5 and S5* SSBNs jointly with Russian nuclear Scientists .

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

I thought the follow-on to Arihant were planned with slightly more powerful reactors. But the news lists potentially the same 83 PWR has been used for INS Aridhaman too.

Focus should be on weapons..reactors can generate same energy and be more efficient and get higher bhp

 

[Man-ju]

We need 8 SSBN, 10 SSN and 30 SSK (with AIP n VLS) before 2040.
Also is 180 MW PWR ready???
Pleade finish this fast and start building SSN..

Yes sir it's a science project for school and will be ready in a week or 2. Do you even know how much is the power output of 180MW? Why is India applying for NSG membership? Why does even Russia doesn't risk sharing the Akula Reactor designs despite helping India in development of submarines and other defence tech? By the way 180MW(h) is an power enough to run an tier 2 city using clean energy source, we are not there yet. Our BARC might take time but we will get there,maybe in a decade. Until then IN has to rely on the fine tuned variant of same reactor (generating 90+MW) for our S4 and S4* along with SSN (which might be smaller than other SSN globally).

 

[Sandeep]

I thought the follow-on to Arihant were planned with slightly more powerful reactors. But the news lists potentially the same 83 PWR has been used for INS Aridhaman too.

No the 190MW engine will be used on the S5 class and P75A nuclear attack submarines. For ballistic submarines you want it to be as quiet as possible so nobody detects where your deterrent is.

 

[Sandeep]

While it’s great that we are adding more submarines we need to build them more quickly and we need to increase the range of our missiles to at least 10000km or more and also make them MIRV capable which is a far better option. We also need to concentrate on building the S5 class and the P75A nuclear attack submarines. At the same time implement P76 diesel stealth submarines which will improve our underwater capability.