#NuclearSubmarines #IndiaDefense #ChinaMilitary #USNavalPower #RussiaSubmarines #AUKUS #BrazilDefense #GlobalSecurity
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**Six Countries Operate Nuclear Submarines**
India recently unveiled its second domestically produced nuclear-powered submarine in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This advanced vessel is equipped with ballistic missiles capable of striking targets up to 750 kilometers away, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The addition of this second submarine, following the initial launch in 2009, strengthens India’s nuclear triad, allowing the country to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea—an integral aspect of its deterrence strategy, emphasized by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Global data highlights the dominance of the United States in the nuclear submarine arena. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ publication, The Military Balance, and detailed by Statista’s Katharina Bichholz, the U.S. boasts the largest fleet with a staggering 66 nuclear-powered submarines. This formidable presence underscores America’s naval superiority. In comparison, Russia operates less than half that number, maintaining a fleet of about 30. As of early 2024, China held 12 nuclear-powered submarines. Throughout these comparisons, it’s crucial to note that being nuclear-powered does not necessarily equate to being nuclear-armed. These submarines utilize nuclear reactors for fuel instead of diesel-electric propulsion, positioning them as powerful and strategic military assets.
In response to increasing Western apprehensions regarding China’s expanding military capabilities, the United States committed last year to sell three of its Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the early 2030s, with the possibility of selling two more if required. This decision, aimed at bolstering Australia’s naval defense, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin has voiced concerns, suggesting that such moves might stimulate an arms race and warning that the involved countries are moving “further and further down the path of error and danger.” The AUKUS partnership, involving Australia, the UK, and the US, is also reported by The Guardian to potentially lead to a significant increase in the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet.
Brazil emerges as another country seeking to augment its naval strength through nuclear capabilities. In a partnership with France, Brazil plans to begin constructing its first nuclear-powered submarine in 2025. This collaboration is poised to enhance Brazil’s defense capabilities and contribute to the global discourse on naval power and security dynamics. With these developments, only six countries remain at the forefront of nuclear submarine operations, continually shaping the strategic and defense landscapes worldwide.
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