Building an indigenous nuclear submarine will mark a leap forward in the country's defence preparedness considering that China already possesses such systems.
With this India joins the select group of countries which have a nuclear triad -- capable of delivering nuclear weapons by aircraft, ballistic missiles and submarine launched missiles.
Calling for a rethink of its submarine building programme, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said India should look for greater numbers than the existing plan of constructing 24 such vessels.
With this new induction, the country has the capability to launch nukes from land, air and sea.
The second SSN that India is negotiating to lease from Russia will only replace the Chakra, when its 10-year lease expires, reports Ajai Shukla.
There are some larger policy issues related to the submarine as a platform and the modernisation programme of the navy that merit brief recall and review, says C Uday Bhaskar
With the launch of the first indigenous aircraft today, India will join a club of nations like the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France that possess nuclear-powered submarines