Surya,do you know what facilities are required to support a nuclear sub? The old facilities used for the Chakra in the '80s no longer exist at Vizag and that was for just one sub ,an SSGN.We are to operate upto -as of now,5 SSBNs plus an unspecified number of SSGNs too.The base will have to have maintenance,repair and support facilties for nuclear reactors,missiles with nuclear warheads,safe storage of N-warheads,plus cruise missiles of varying models (Nirbhay,B'Mos,Klub,)torpedoes,hardened sub pens against nuclear attack and which can allow the ingress and egress of subs preferably without surfacing ,not to mention facilities for the large contingent of officers and submariners,enginering specialists,training facilities including n-sub simulators,etc.Then what about the civil facilities at the base for the naval families,etc.? Have you seen the size of an N-sub base? This base will be far more important than the one at Karwar as it has to support our entire sub-based strategic arsenal.
It is not a simple matter of just commisioning a new sub or warship,where existing types are already in service.
To give you just one small example,take a look here of the pics of a UK N-sub base in Scotland,uncovered by Google Earth.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... 284752.ece
and at
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,506915,00.html
Close-up aerial views of the top-secret Naval base are on the computer program - available for free over the internet.
It even reveals the longitude and latitude of the facility in Faslane, Scotland - home to the UK's Trident-armed nuclear submarine force.
And pictures clearly show two vast Vanguard Class submarines - each capable of carrying 16 nuclear missiles.
Military experts warn that would make it easy for terrorists to launch accurate mortar or rocket attacks.
One told The Sun: "A strike on our nuclear capability would cause untold devastation. Terrorists could have a field day, knowing exactly where to aim strikes to cause the maximum devastation."
As well as HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, the program also clearly shows the Trident Special Area, just ten miles away, where nuclear warheads are stored.
And it can be used to pinpoint Britain's nuclear crisis HQ in Northwood, North London, MI6's London offices and the SAS training facility in Hereford.
Satellite pictures show the exact location of SAS sleeping quarters, office blocks, bunkers and parade grounds.
Our source said: "We should be censoring sensitive military sites, not only for the protection of the servicemen and women, but also for the protection of the country."
Military top brass are said to be furious that such sites can be viewed by anyone.
Read more:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... z1RMVLhEFL
When the Akula arrives, and one expects that within a short time or perhaps even simultaneously the commisioning of the ATV/Arihant will take place,a new era-not just another chapter in Indian naval history will begin.We will truly have a "nuclear navy",joining the P-5 navies of the US,Russia,France,Britain and China.Details of the base and matters relating to our N-subs will be the most highly classified of all.Therefore try and read between the lines.