Nuclear submarine Arihant completes patrol, India gets nuclear triad Submarines form an important part of a nuclear triad since they are harder to track compared to fighter planes and land-based nuclear missile systems (India Today file photo)

Arihant, one of India's nuclear submarines, today successfully completed its first deterrence patrol, military-speak for carrying out a patrol aimed at deterring enemies from attacking India with nuclear weapons.

With Arihant successfully completing its patrol, India now has a dependable nuclear triad. A nuclear triad means that the country now has the capability of firing nuclear weapons from land, air and sea.

This three-pronged capability is crucial for India's declared no-first use policy for nuclear weapons. Under this policy, India will never attack any country with nuclear weapons.

A rare photo of INS Arihant (in the background behind PM Narendra Modi). The submarine is part of such a top secret project that very few images of it exist

However, India will retaliate with nuclear weapons if it is attacked with nuclear weapons.

The ability to fire nuclear missiles from under the sea -- an ability that Arihant has -- is particularly important because submarines, unlike fighter aircraft and land-based missile systems, are harder to track and destroy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that INS Arihant had successfully completed its first deterrence patrol.

Dhanteras gets even more special!



India’s pride, nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol!



I congratulate all those involved, especially the crew of INS Arihant for this accomplishment, which will always be remembered in our history. pic.twitter.com/tjeOj2cBdX Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2018

"I congratulate all those involved, especially the crew of INS Arihant for this accomplishment, which will always be remembered in our history," PM Modi said.

"In an era such as this, a credible nuclear deterrence is the need of the hour," PM Modi also said before underlining that India remains committed to peace.

We are guided by this Mantra:



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We will do everything for our beloved nation and for the wellbeing of 130 crore Indians.



Vande Mataram!



Jai Hind! Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 5, 2018

"India is a land of peace. Values of togetherness are enshrined in our culture... Our nuclear programme must be seen with regard to India's efforts to further world peace and stability," the prime minister also said.

INS Arihant was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2016. Another nuclear submarine -- the Argihat -- will be commissioned in the next few years.

INS Arihant was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2016. Another nuclear submarine -- the Argihat -- will be commissioned in the next few years.

Both Arihant and Argihat are part of a top-secret project under which India aims to have at least five nuclear submarines.

Apart from being able to launch nuclear missiles, nuclear submarines also stand apart form other defence systems because they can remain at sea for months at stretch. The only reason a nuclear submarine would have to return to a dock is to check crew fatigue.

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