Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced that the atomic reactor of INS Arihant, its first indigenous nuclear submarine, was already activated. This was the first step for India to complete its nuclear triad. The latter refers to a submarine's ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from air, land, and sea. The activation of the reactor would pave the way for the submarine's eventual operational deployment by the Indian Navy. A medium-range nuclear missile called BO-5 prepared by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Arihant is also ready.
"Today's development represents a giant stride in the progress of our indigenous technological capabilities. It is testimony to the ability of our scientists, technologists and defence personnel to work together for mastering complex technologies in the service of our nation's security," the Prime Minister said.
A report published in July by an international defence analysis company revealed that India's defence spending would reach USD 66.3 billion by 2020, an amount that is more than that of total defence spending for Britain.
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