Satellite Images Reveal Larger, More Powerful Indian Nuclear Submarine

Satellite imagery reveals the latest addition to India's growing fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) in an advanced stage of construction.

Codenamed S4, this powerful submarine represents a significant upgrade over its predecessors in the Arihant class and underscores India's determination to strengthen its strategic defense capabilities.

Analysts are carefully studying the new images of the S4, which appears visibly larger than its sister vessels. This size difference suggests a greater capacity to carry submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

While the exact number of missiles remains classified, experts speculate the S4 may be equipped with a substantially increased arsenal compared to earlier Arihant-class submarines.

It could potentially carry as many as 24 K-15 missiles (with a range of 1,000 km ) or 8 K-4 missiles (with a range of 3,500 km).

The S4 is not alone; another Arihant-class submarine known as S4* is also under construction. These vessels likely will accommodate both K-15 and K-4 missiles, offering valuable strategic flexibility to the Indian Navy.

According to defense analysts, this development aligns with India's commitment to achieving a nuclear triad –the ability to launch nuclear strikes by land, air, and sea– a standard for major nuclear powers.

Construction of the S4 began quietly in November 2021, and it's expected to be completed around 2024. Following this, the submarine will undergo rigorous sea trials, weapons tests, and eventual commissioning into the Indian Navy.

India's Arihant-class submarines, including the S4, are supported by large-scale investments in command and control systems, hardened bases, and support vessels.

The expansion of this naval force marks India's commitment to a robust and modernized national defense strategy.

 

[Anant]

Key for S5s are the 190MW nuclear reactors which will also be installed in the SSNs under Project Alpha...The current 83MW reactors are unsuitable for SSNs due to needs of power...Also two (2) of the 190MW reactors could be potentially used for a 65-75000 Ton IAC-2 for nuclear propulsion...Of course this is Gen-2, and eventually India needs Gen-3, bigger and more powerful nuclear propulsion reactors in the 220-250MW class, but with HEU, to avoid refueling for about 30 years.

Sir, 2 190 MW reactors aren't not sufficient for a supercarrier. The Charles de Gaulle has 2 150 MW reactors, and is considered to be slightly underpowered. For a ship that is 60% larger, we would need 3 190 MW reactors at least, which may then require a physically larger ship.

The ideal answer to this would be a 250 MW (or thereabouts) reactor.

 

[desigandu]

Sir, 2 190 MW reactors aren't not sufficient for a supercarrier. The Charles de Gaulle has 2 150 MW reactors, and is considered to be slightly underpowered. For a ship that is 60% larger, we would need 3 190 MW reactors at least, which may then require a physically larger ship.

The ideal answer to this would be a 250 MW (or thereabouts) reactor.

How feasible, not just technically is a 250mw HEU nuclear propulsion reactor by India ready by 2040? Could this also power the next gen SSNs/ 13000 Ton and SSBNs/20000 Ton for India? Also could this be used in a potential nuclear thermal rocket for mars and beyond, like the planned DRACO?

 

[Anant]

How feasible, not just technically is a 250mw HEU nuclear propulsion reactor by India ready by 2040? Could this also power the next gen SSNs/ 13000 Ton and SSBNs/20000 Ton for India? Also could this be used in a potential nuclear thermal rocket for mars and beyond, like the planned DRACO?

Maybe, Sir. A 250 MW reactor would be ideal for a larger SSBN after the S5-class, while the 190 MW reactor would suffice for a while for SSNs, unless we see some type of size escalation after the P75A-class.

As for space exploration usage, I would posit a larger and more powerful reactor's usage would be predicated on the size of the spacecraft. If we are sending probes there, they will only have micro-reactors still.