INS Arihant is an Akula class sub?
July 31, 2009, (Sawf News) - Outgoing Russian ambassador, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, says India's recently launched nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant is an Akula class submarine.
In an interview published in the Business Standard Trubinikov is quoted as saying:
"I watched the launch of India's first nuclear submarine at Vishakapatnam on July 26, and do you know about the design of this submarine? It is the Akula."
"So where was the Indian submarine designed and built?" he was asked.
"Here in India!" he responded.
Past analysis - based on the dimensions (112 m length, 10 m beam), displacement (6,000 tons) and reactor output (85 MWe) of Arihant have led analysts to report that it is based on the Charlie II submarine that India leased from 1988-91.
However, graphics of the Arihant published in India Today and TOI show a similarity to the Akula. For example, the towed array on the aft sail is like that of a Akula.
The Arihant is reported to displace 6,000 tons which is assumed to be the submerged displacement. If it is the surfaced displacement it would match that of the Akula.
The heavier Akula uses a 190 MWe reactor which gives it a top submerged speed of 35 knots. The reported 24 knots top submerged speed of Arihant, could be attributed to its smaller reactor.
It is likely the ambassador was referring to the shape similarities rather than the hull design.
However, DRDO officials have practiced the art of subtle disinformation in the past so it is possible Arihant is heavier even more powerful than reported.
I am inclined to stick by my analysis earlier:
"Though the Arihant is based on the Charlie II class, it likely incorporates a lot of advancements in propulsion, noise suppression, command and control, communication and sonar that the Russians learnt since they built the Charlie II subs, as well as what the Indians learnt while building German HDW 209 1500 submarines INS Shalki and INS Shankul - in the late eighties to early nineties.
Unofficial illustrations of the boat show elements of Akula design like the towed sonar at the aft. However, Arihant is unlikely to be based on the Akula II or the more modern Graney class Russian subs, as reported in some sections of the press, since these subs use a twin hull design and are therefore considerably heavier. Not surprisingly the Akula is powered by a 190 MW reactor."