India added new teeth to its Navy and enhanced its strategic depth by demonstrating its capability to indigenously build and operate a nuclear-powered submarine – the INS Arihant, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched for sea trial in Visakhapatnam on 26 July 2009. The 110-metre-long, 11-metre-wide vessel can displace 6,000 tones of water and its journey towards sea is the first step before its eventual induction into the Navy. It will be able to launch missiles at targets 700 km (437 miles) away. 

What are the implications of Arihant for India’s security? What are the likely responses from Pakistan and China? What is the road ahead for India, in further strengthening its naval capabilities?