Construction commences on India’s second nuclear submarine

Kochi: India has begun construction of its second nuclear submarine at a new shipyard in Vishakhapatnam, especially configured for the indigenous nuclear submarine construction programme. Reports suggest that the keel of the project has been laid and initial work is on in full swing.

The construction of the second submarine starts two years after the launch of INS Arihant (Destroyer of enemies) the first of what is expected to be a series of five or six 5,000-6,000 tonne indigenously designed and built nuclear attack submarines.

''The second programme took far lesser time than Arihant to reach the shipyard from the drawing board. This time we had a clear plan and we had learned a lot from our mistakes,'' sources have been quoted as saying.

According to reports, fabrication of the hull and body of the second submarine has also begun.

Russia has provided great technical help in making the project possible and indeed this was acknowledged by thee India prime minister Manmohan Singh at the launch ceremony of INS Arihant.

The submarine will carry indigenously designed electronics and other systems.