S5-class submarine

S5 is the code name for a planned class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines currently being developed by India. S5 will weigh around twice as much as the preceding Arihant-class submarine.[1][3]

An artistic impression of the S5-class submarine
Class overview
Operators:  Indian Navy
Preceded by: Arihant class
Planned: 3[1]
General characteristics
Type: Nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine
Displacement: 13,500 tonnes (13,300 long tons; 14,900 short tons)[1]
Installed power:
  • 1 × pressurised water reactor
  • 190 MW (250,000 hp)[1]
Range: Unlimited
Armament: 12-16 × K6 MIRVed SLBM (6,000 km (3,700 mi) to 8,000 km (5,000 mi) range) or K-4 SLBM (3,500 km or 2,200 mi range)[2][1]

Design

The S5-class of submarines are planned to weigh around 13,500 tonnes (13,300 long tons; 14,900 short tons).[3] They are planned to be armed with up to twelve or sixteen K6 Submarine-launched ballistic missiles, each armed with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles.[1][2]

Development

The Indian government made an assessment of India's capability to design and construct a class of three new ballistic missile submarines codenamed 'S5' in 2006 when it was realised that the reactor and payload capacity of the Arihant-class submarines was limited. These submarines were initially planned to be operationalised beginning in 2021 but were later delayed. This delay had prompted the Indian government to sanction an additional Arihant-class submarine in 2012 to avoid the idling of the production line.[1]

See also

References
  1. Unnithan, Sandeep (10 December 2017). "A peek into India's top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines". India Today. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  2. "India's Undersea Deterrent". Saurav Jha. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  3. Pandit, Rajat (5 November 2018). "Nuclear submarine INS Arihant completes patrol, country's N-triad operational". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
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