BREAKING: BARC’s 190-MegaWatt Reactor for Project-77 SSNs and S5-Class SSBNs 'Ready for Deployment', after 8 years of development !!
With the green light given for the construction of two nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) under Project-77 for the Indian Navy, India’s nuclear submarine initiatives are advancing swiftly. A former official from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has confirmed that a second-generation 190-MegaWatt (MW) pressurized water nuclear reactor, in development for nearly eight years, is now ready to power these cutting-edge submarines.
The recent clearance for Project-77’s two SSNs (Project-75-Alpha) signifies a considerable enhancement of India’s naval capabilities. Nuclear-powered attack submarines are critical to modern naval strategy, offering the ability to stay submerged over long durations and cover vast distances, making them essential for monitoring, deterrence, and combat.
The 190-MW Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), intended for these SSNs, marks a major advancement from the 83-MW reactors powering the Arihant-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), which represent India’s first indigenously developed nuclear submarines. As per the former BARC official, this newly developed reactor builds upon the Arihant’s 83-MW system, which has already seen technological improvements, particularly through the INS Arighat, a sister vessel to the Arihant that joined India’s fleet earlier this year.
S5-class SSBN vs Arihant-class SSBN size comparison CGI by Harshal Pal |
The BARC team has been dedicated to crafting the 190-MW reactor for the Project-77 SSNs over several years, and it is now ready for operational use. This advanced reactor is also designated for the upcoming S5-class SSBNs, a next-generation class intended to fortify India’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
Notably, this 190-MW reactor will be produced in two specific configurations. The much bigger Next Generation S5-class SSBN, designed for endurance and quiet operation, is crafted to support stealth-oriented missions where power needs are consistent. In contrast, the SSN variant is engineered for dynamic power demands, suited for the rapid maneuvers and depth changes required in attack scenarios. This flexibility allows the SSN reactor to handle varied and intensive operational needs.
The 83-MW reactors used in India’s Arihant-class SSBNs, developed by BARC with Russian collaboration, underwent extensive testing in a land-based prototype known as S1 before integration into the INS Arihant (S2). This testing provided valuable operational insights and allowed for fine-tuning, ensuring both performance and safety.
Following this model, BARC may consider developing a land-based prototype for the new 190-MW reactor. Though not yet confirmed, creating a prototype facility would mirror the approach taken with the S1, allowing for extensive testing to verify design optimizations and operational safety before integration into India’s new nuclear attack submarines.
As India’s nuclear naval program continues to progress, the sanctioned Project-77 SSNs and the ready-to-deploy 190-MW reactor bring the nation closer to achieving a modern, blue-water navy with robust offensive and deterrent capacities. The reactor’s finalized design is a key milestone, moving India forward in deploying nuclear attack submarines tailored to meet the operational needs of the Indian Navy.
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