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Project Varsha
Context:
India is developing a secret nuclear submarine base under Project Varsha.
More on News:
- The most intriguing feature of the project is an underground complex to house a fleet of 12 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines(SSBNs).
- This base will cater to a wide range of navy operations and will reduce congestion on Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.
About the Project Varsha:
- It is an underground fortress Naval Base providing crucial nuclear engineering support facilities, ensuring the base’s self-sufficiency.
- This Naval Base is located 60 km south of Visakhapatnam at Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh.
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is constructing a research and development complex at Achutapuram 20 km from the naval base.
- It will support the base submarines by constructing and fitting nuclear reactors
- The new base will support all 8-12 Arihant-class submarines to be built for the Indian Navy.
- It will include state-of-the-art nuclear engineering support facilities and extensive crew accommodation.
Need of the Fortress:
- The new base can accommodate other naval vessels because of the Indian Navy’s expansion.
- Built strategically, it will serve as an exclusive enclave with easy access to the Bay of Bengal.
- While designed principally as a nuclear submarine support facility it will include underground berths on INS Arihant and other nuke missile-armed submarines.
- To counter China’s presence in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
- China is building ports in India’s neighbouring countries like Kyaukphyu Port in Myanmar, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, and Payra Deep Sea Port in Bangladesh.
About India’s Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN):
- India has a type of submarine called SSBN, which is powered by a nuclear reactor and can launch nuclear-tipped missiles.
- INS Arihant: India’s first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, launched in 2009 and commissioned in 2016.
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- INS Arihant and its class of submarines are classified as ‘SSBN’.
- Designed and developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, which started in the 1980s.
- The ATV project marked India’s entry into designing and building nuclear-powered submarines.