Arihant-class SSBN - News & Discussions
- Thread starter Nick
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French M51.3 test 2 days ago (longer range +10K km & new Thermonuclear warhead) :
real range is unknown, and depend of the number of warheads (1 to 10)
All that we know is that M51.3 has some hundred kilometers range more than .2 and is hardened against "counter measures". (new and/or more decoys? new trajectories? MARV ?)
Nice find!
I don't think we can conclusively say yet if these are S-5 SSBN sections, but they certainly appear to be maritime vessel-related as they seem to be stored in position to be loaded on to a barge. Could be some unrelated industrial modules as well, though.
The size (as measured by you) is also interesting.
I had the same doubts but A.M Naik heavy engineering is known to be the facility where hull sections are made and then transported to SBC using a barge
Also these are visibly cylindrical in shape, the second one looks like tail end section of a submarine
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Great find. I am reasonably confident that these are modules of the 1st S5 SSBN's hull. These modules measure from 8.5-11m in length. Assuming the S5 class is ~140-150 m in total length, we will need 14-15 such modules.
It was reported that construction of the 1st S5 sub started on December 2025. So, in ~10 months we have 4 modules ready to ship to SBC Vizag for outfitting. At this rate we should have all the modules by ~40 months (3 years, 4 months). Setting up the reactor, propulsion, sensors, VLS tubes etc. at SBC will take 1.5 years minimum. So that's 5 years in total. Then outfitting & then joining the modules. That will be about 6.5-7 years. Then 2-3 years of harbor trials & sea trials. Then another 2-3 years of weapon trials from the sub. Full service entry in late 2030s.
IN has ordered the construction of just the 2 subs for now with plans of having a fleet of 6 eventually. I hope the orders come in time. Don't want a stagnant production line like we have with the destroyers.
Of course, but L&T produces a whole lot of engineering goods at the Hazira plant in adjoining units. These pieces are likely to be submarine-related though, just can't say for sure. Wish they laid them on the side like this:
I've been seeing this image for over a decade now, originally popularized by Prasun Sengupta's blog. These are not really images of L&T facility though, neither is this boat Arihant. It's either a Russian or French boat, I remember seeing the original pic but can't find it now.
I don't think any pics of the module-construction facility's interior exist. This CAD image is probably the closest we'll get:
Yep.
Actually, the report just said the first two units of S5 had "already begun construction". The report was published in December 2025 yes, but it doesn't say anything about when the construction started.
For all we know, module-fabrication was in progress for at least a few months by that point.
CHAKRA EXCLUSIVE: India’s fourth SSBN sails out for sea trials
India’s fourth ballistic missile submarine, the S4*, has commenced sea trials. The 7000-ton submarine sailed out for sea trials sometime last week.
chakranewz.com
"...The ATVP has already begun construction of the first two units of the S5 SSBNs, which at 13,500 tons are twice the size of the Arihant-class submarines. The first S5 will enter service in the early 2030s. A total of four S5 SSBNs will be acquired by the late 2030s."
Multiple hull rings can be spotted at hazira facility in historical imageryOf course, but L&T produces a whole lot of engineering goods at the Hazira plant in adjoining units. These pieces are likely to be submarine-related though, just can't say for sure. Wish they laid them on the side like this:
View attachment 54211
I've been seeing this image for over a decade now, originally popularized by Prasun Sengupta's blog. These are not really images of L&T facility though, neither is this boat Arihant. It's either a Russian or French boat, I remember seeing the original pic but can't find it now.
I don't think any pics of the module-construction facility's interior exist. This CAD image is probably the closest we'll get:
View attachment 54212
Yep.
Actually, the report just said the first two units of S5 had "already begun construction". The report was published in December 2025 yes, but it doesn't say anything about when the construction started.
For all we know, module-fabrication was in progress for at least a few months by that point.
CHAKRA EXCLUSIVE: India’s fourth SSBN sails out for sea trials
India’s fourth ballistic missile submarine, the S4*, has commenced sea trials. The 7000-ton submarine sailed out for sea trials sometime last week.
"...The ATVP has already begun construction of the first two units of the S5 SSBNs, which at 13,500 tons are twice the size of the Arihant-class submarines. The first S5 will enter service in the early 2030s. A total of four S5 SSBNs will be acquired by the late 2030s."
from 2023 - These rings start to appear from 2023, indicating fabrication of structures started years ago with completed modules being shipped now
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Only this submarine could carry the R39 (it was actually made to carry it) :JL2 looks a LOT like this thing indeed.
View attachment 53119
But, JL2 is 2 times lighter than R39 and achieves same/higher range (newer propellant compared to R39) and carries fewer MIRV warheads. Diameter and length is also lower.
So me thinks Chinese took aerodynamic inspiration from R39 but did most of the propellant/guidance work themselves.
Our K5 will weigh 2 times lower and be smaller in length than both and still be capable of reaching 8,000 km in light load configuration.
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