India's secret nuclear sub programme on track: Antony

India's programme to have "a nuclear weapon triad", is well on track, defence minister A K Antony on Wednesday, with the 'secret' programme for three indigenous nuclear submarines on the verge of completion.

The Times of India quoted Antony as saying "Things are in the final stage now in the ATV (advanced technology vessel) project. There were bottlenecks earlier...they are over now," said Antony, during the ongoing AeroIndia 2009 trade show in Bangalore.

The hush-hush ATV project, a euphemism for the three nuclear-powered submarines being constructed at the Visakhapatnam naval dockyard, has been dogged by a series of technical hiccups since it was formally launched as far back as 1983.

The main problem has revolved around the design of miniature PWRs (pressurised water reactors) and their containment plans for the submarine's propulsion system, but sources told The Times of India that the technical problems have now been overcome, thanks to help from countries like Russia and France.

The sources said there had been some delay in launching the first prototype of the nuclear-powered guided-missile attack submarine for sea trials, but it would happen soon. Antony, on his part, said, "We will announce it when it is ready."

The Navy hopes to get the first operational submarine by 2012 or so. Concurrently, DRDO is also working on the K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missile, which will be integrated with the submarine.

In all, five ATVs are planned under the programme by 2005, whose cost is touching Rs 14,000 crore now. The aim behind the ATV programme is to have nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped cruise or ballistic missiles to ensure second-strike capabilities in view of India's 'no-first-use' nuclear doctrine.

Nuclear-powered submarines have higher speeds and can stay submerged much longer than conventional diesel-electric submarines, which have to surface or snorkel frequently to get oxygen to recharge batteries. Thus they provide a much less vulnerable launch pad for nuclear weapons.

Though India already has nuclear-capable aircraft and mobile land-based missiles like the 700-km Agni-I and 2,500-km Agni-II being inducted into the armed forces now, it's hoped the ATV project will finally provide it with the third leg of the nuclear triad.