Much improved & bigger 3rd Generation S5 SSBN of the Indian Navy to enter production in 2027

Source : Indian Defence Updates (IDU)

Pressurized Water Reactor (Left) and S5 class SSBN CGI by Harshal Pal (Right)

According to a media reports, India‘s 13,000 ton S5 class 3rd generation SSBN program might enter the production stage sometime in 2027 onwards.

A considerable initial work has been already been carried out on the S5 design and a 190 megawatt Pressurized Water Reactor will be developed by Bhaba Atomic Research Center (BARC) and used as a land-based pressurized water reactor on a 1:1 scale for testing purposes for two years before it will be cleared to be integrated into the first submarine.

This reactor is crucial as its upgraded version will be used in the upcoming Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSN) of the Indian Navy which will require speed and stealthiness to sneakily attack the enemy flotilla of surface combatants and sub surface combatants.

Before beginning the production work, the S5 SSBN will require a new bigger dockyard at Shipbuilding Centerin Visakhapatnam, which has already been built for the construction work.