S5-class submarine

S5 is the code name for a planned class of Indian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines currently being developed for the Indian Navy. S5 will weigh around twice as much as the preceding Arihant-class submarine. It is expected to start production by 2027.^[5]

An artistic impression of the S5-class submarine
Class overview
Operators	Indian Navy
Preceded by	Arihant class
Planned	4-6[1]
General characteristics
Type	Nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine
Displacement	13,500 tonnes (13,300 long tons; 14,900 short tons)[1]
Propulsion	1 x CLWR-B2 Compact Light-water reactor[2][3] 190 MW (250,000 hp)[1] 1 × single shaft pump-jet propulsor
Range	Unlimited
Armament	12-16 VLS cells for[4][1] K-5 SLBM (5,000–6,000 km or 3,100–3,700 mi range) (or) K6 MIRV SLBM (10,000–12,000 km or 6,200–7,500 mi range)

Design

The S5-class of submarines are planned to weigh around 13,500 tonnes (13,300 long tons; 14,900 short tons).^[6] The submarines are planned to be armed with up to twelve or sixteen K6 Submarine-launched ballistic missiles, each armed with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles.^[1][4]

Development

The Government of India made an assessment of India's capability to design and construct a class of three new ballistic missile submarines codenamed S5 in 2006 when it was realised that the reactor and payload capacity of the Arihant-class submarines was limited. These submarines were initially planned to be operationalised beginning in 2021 but were later delayed. This delay had prompted the Indian Government to sanction an additional Arihant-class submarine in 2012 to avoid the idling of the production line.^[1]

As of 4 December 2022, S5-class submarine is to enter production by the year 2027.^[5][7]

As of September 2024, the design phase of the submarine is nearing completion and project sanction is expected soon.^[8]

See also

• Arihant-class submarine
• Indian Navy SSN programme
• Future of the Indian Navy