India activates nuclear reactor on first Indian-built submarine

The nuclear reactor on board India's first Indian-built nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, was activated, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. The miniature reactor went critical Saturday, meaning the 83 MW submarine can now undergo sea trials and could be fully operational within two years, the BBC reported. Saturday's announcement was hailed by Singh as a "giant stride in ... our indigenous technological capabilities." The Arihant is the first submarine to be fully designed and built in India, the BBC said. Extensive trials will including the firing of its 466-mile range 30MKI and Mirage-2000 missiles, capable of delivering nuclear warheads, the Times of India reported Saturday. The announcement marks the first time a country outside the recognized five nuclear powers -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- has built a ballistic missile submarine, experts said.