New Delhi: The Indian Navy and the Defence Ministry on Tuesday maintained silence on induction of its first nuclear submarine Arihant in the force, even as sources indicated the vessel has been inducted.
Former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retd), however, told IANS that such silence was “customary” as the project is ‘top secret’ and even the Navy is not aware of the submarine’s movements and locations, which are decided by orders from the highest level.
The submarine, the lead ship of India’s Arihant-class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, has been designed based on the Russian Akula-1 class submarines.
Neither Defence Ministry officials, nor the Indian Navy confirmed or denied the media reports on induction of the vessel.
Asked about the submarine at a function here, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition in Indian Navy Vice Admiral G.S. Pabby refused to answer the question. The Vice Admiral, however, said that an interaction will soon be held to answer all questions on the submarine.
Asked about the induction, officials refused to comment on or off record.
However, they indicated that the boat is now part of the Indian Naval fleet.
Asked about the possible reasons for the secrecy, former Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retired) said the secrecy around the induction of the vessel, being a nuclear submarine, was “customary”.
“Arihant is an achievement technology wise, but otherwise it is a top secret,” Admiral Prakash told IANS.
“Its mission is to be a nuclear deterrent. Everything to do with the submarine will be a secret,” he said. INS Arihant is India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine, and the lead ship of the Arihant-class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, which was launched in 2009. (IANS)
