In a significant development, China has ramped up its production of nuclear-powered submarines over the last five years and is deploying them faster than the United States, posing a challenge to Washington’s long-standing superiority at sea, according to a recent assessment by the UK-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). “China has rapidly expanded its nuclear-powered-submarine production, surpassing US launch numbers and tonnage in the period 2021–25. Although qualitative differences compared with US and European designs persist, the increasing number of Chinese submarines presents a growing challenge for Western countries struggling to expand their own production,” the think tank states in the report. The report indicated that China has rapidly expanded the output of the nuclear-powered submarine fleet, including attack and ballistic-missile submarines. The IISS report also confirmed that China has launched 10 nuclear-powered submarines, along with both ballistic-missile SSBNs such as the Type 094 (Jin-class) and attack or guided-missile submarines like the Type 093B Shang-class variants. Together, these vessels account for a total displacement of around 79,000 tons between 2021 and 2025.<h3>Total submarines launched by US &amp; China in 2016–2020 timeframe</h3>By comparison, the United States launched seven submarines over the same period, with a combined displacement of about 55,000 tonnes. This marks a sharp reversal from the 2016–2020 timeframe, when China commissioned only three submarines totalling 23,000 tonnes, while the US launched seven submarines with a displacement of roughly 55,500 tonnes. China’s nuclear submarines are being built by Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co. (BSHIC) at its shipyard in Huludao, northern China. The IISS report, titled “Boomtime in Bohai,” shows that the annual output pace of the company was quite less as compared to its US counterparts until recently, but between 2019 and 2022, production has increased significantly along with a second hall and other facilities. Citing the “Military Balance 2025” report, the IISS analysis also confirmed that, as of early 2025, China possessed 12 operational nuclear-powered submarines, six guided-missile or attack submarines and six ballistic-missile submarines. Meanwhile, the United States Navy (USN) has a large fleet of 65 submarines, out of which 14 are ballistic missile vessels designed for attacks, and 51 are attack or guided-missile submarines.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/clogged-toilets-narrow-pipes-uss-gerald-r-ford-faces-dirty-sewage-problem-amid-possible-us-strike-on-iran-1771836555256/1771836555259"> Clogged toilets, narrow pipes: USS Gerald R Ford faces dirty 'sewage' problem amid possible US strike on Iran</a>

The IISS report confirmed that China has launched 10 nuclear-powered submarines, along with both ballistic-missile SSBNs such as the Type 094 (Jin-class) and attack or guided-missile submarines like the Type 093B Shang-class variants. 

In a significant development, China has ramped up its production of nuclear-powered submarines over the last five years and is deploying them faster than the United States, posing a challenge to Washington’s long-standing superiority at sea, according to a recent assessment by the UK-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). “China has rapidly expanded its nuclear-powered-submarine production, surpassing US launch numbers and tonnage in the period 2021–25. Although qualitative differences compared with US and European designs persist, the increasing number of Chinese submarines presents a growing challenge for Western countries struggling to expand their own production,” the think tank states in the report. The report indicated that China has rapidly expanded the output of the nuclear-powered submarine fleet, including attack and ballistic-missile submarines. The IISS report also confirmed that China has launched 10 nuclear-powered submarines, along with both ballistic-missile SSBNs such as the Type 094 (Jin-class) and attack or guided-missile submarines like the Type 093B Shang-class variants. Together, these vessels account for a total displacement of around 79,000 tons between 2021 and 2025. Total submarines launched by US & China in 2016–2020 timeframe By comparison, the United States launched seven submarines over the same period, with a combined displacement of about 55,000 tonnes. This marks a sharp reversal from the 2016–2020 timeframe, when China commissioned only three submarines totalling 23,000 tonnes, while the US launched seven submarines with a displacement of roughly 55,500 tonnes. China’s nuclear submarines are being built by Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co. (BSHIC) at its shipyard in Huludao, northern China. The IISS report, titled “Boomtime in Bohai,” shows that the annual output pace of the company was quite less as compared to its US counterparts until recently, but between 2019 and 2022, production has increased significantly along with a second hall and other facilities. Citing the “Military Balance 2025” report, the IISS analysis also confirmed that, as of early 2025, China possessed 12 operational nuclear-powered submarines, six guided-missile or attack submarines and six ballistic-missile submarines. Meanwhile, the United States Navy (USN) has a large fleet of 65 submarines, out of which 14 are ballistic missile vessels designed for attacks, and 51 are attack or guided-missile submarines. Also read: Clogged toilets, narrow pipes: USS Gerald R Ford faces dirty 'sewage' problem amid possible US strike on Iran

The IISS report confirmed that China has launched 10 nuclear-powered submarines, along with both ballistic-missile SSBNs such as the Type 094 (Jin-class) and attack or guided-missile submarines like the Type 093B Shang-class variants.&nbsp;

Has China overtaken US in nuclear submarine production race? Here's what IISS's new report explains

North Korea claimed twice in a row this week that it tested underwater drones capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and unleashing a "radioactive tsunami". Pyongyang's purported actions have put the spotlight on how exactly these underwater drones are different from conventional nuclear warhead-carrying projectiles.&nbsp;

<h2>What are underwater drones?</h2>

Underwater drones are Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). They can be operated underwater without a human occupant and have been deemed the war-machines for future warfare. The first underwater drones surfaced from humanity's scientific prowess in the 1950s. In 1957, the first unmanned underwater vehicle was created in the United States to research the Arctic waters.&nbsp;

<h2>Underwater drones and nuclear warheads: How do they operate?</h2>

The US Navy first deployed underwater drones from submarines in 2015. The Russian-origin Poseidon, is world's most talked-about underwater drone and is one of the six Russian strategic weapons announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2018.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;North Korea: Pyongyang claims another successful underwater drone test

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In January 2023, it was reported that the first batch of the Poseidon weapons had been manufactured.

Typical depth of the drone may be about 50–100 metres (160–330 ft) for increased stealth features in low-speed stealth mode. Low depth in stealth mode is preferred because sound waves move to the ocean floor and reduce radius of detection. Submarines use the same strategy in silent running mode.

<h2>Which countries have underwater drones with nuclear warheads?</h2>

North Korea's recent demonstration of its underwater drones with nuclear warheads is yet to be decisively verified. The United States, and by extension all 31 NATO countries, possess underwater nuclear-powered drones. The Russian Federation, too, possesses underwater drones with nuclear warheads.

<h2>North Korea's recent demonstrations</h2>

The North Korean drone is named “Haeil,” a Korean word meaning tidal waves or tsunamis.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-claims-to-have-tested-another-nuclear-capable-underwater-drone-580303">North Korea claims to have tested another nuclear-capable underwater attack drone</a>

The state media reported that the drone was deployed Tuesday off the North’s eastern coast. It reportedly travelled underwater for nearly 60 hours, and detonated a test warhead at a target standing for an enemy port. North Korean state media added that the attack drone can be “deployed at any coast and port or towed by a surface ship for operation.” 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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North Korea claimed twice in a row this week that it tested underwater drones capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and unleashing a "radioactive tsunami". Pyongyang's purported actions have put the spotlight on how exactly these underwater drones are different from conventional nuclear warhead-carrying projectiles.

North Korea claimed twice in a row this week that it tested underwater drones capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and unleashing a "radioactive tsunami". Pyongyang's purported actions have put the spotlight on how exactly these underwater drones are different from conventional nuclear warhead-carrying projectiles. What are underwater drones? Underwater drones are Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). They can be operated underwater without a human occupant and have been deemed the war-machines for future warfare. The first underwater drones surfaced from humanity's scientific prowess in the 1950s. In 1957, the first unmanned underwater vehicle was created in the United States to research the Arctic waters. Underwater drones and nuclear warheads: How do they operate? The US Navy first deployed underwater drones from submarines in 2015. The Russian-origin Poseidon, is world's most talked-about underwater drone and is one of the six Russian strategic weapons announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2018. ALSO WATCH | North Korea: Pyongyang claims another successful underwater drone test × In January 2023, it was reported that the first batch of the Poseidon weapons had been manufactured. Typical depth of the drone may be about 50–100 metres (160–330 ft) for increased stealth features in low-speed stealth mode. Low depth in stealth mode is preferred because sound waves move to the ocean floor and reduce radius of detection. Submarines use the same strategy in silent running mode. Which countries have underwater drones with nuclear warheads? North Korea's recent demonstration of its underwater drones with nuclear warheads is yet to be decisively verified. The United States, and by extension all 31 NATO countries, possess underwater nuclear-powered drones. The Russian Federation, too, possesses underwater drones with nuclear warheads. North Korea's recent demonstrations The North Korean drone is named “Haeil,” a Korean word meaning tidal waves or tsunamis. ALSO READ | North Korea claims to have tested another nuclear-capable underwater attack drone The state media reported that the drone was deployed Tuesday off the North’s eastern coast. It reportedly travelled underwater for nearly 60 hours, and detonated a test warhead at a target standing for an enemy port. North Korean state media added that the attack drone can be “deployed at any coast and port or towed by a surface ship for operation.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

North Korea's underwater nuclear-powered drones: What are they and which other countries have them?

The meeting was low-key, a presentation last month by South Korean officials to about 50 villagers gathered in a community hall on the country’s southeastern coast.

The government, the audience was told, planned to build a test version of a small nuclear reactor at a new atomic research complex — the country’s largest ever — that is under construction in the village of Gampo. The modular reactor, to be completed by 2027, would be similar to those that power seagoing vessels like icebreakers and container ships.

But that may not be the only ambition for this advanced technology. The project, nuclear experts say, could potentially allow South Korea to fulfill a long-held dream of developing a nuclear-powered submarine. It is something that its most powerful ally, the United States, has opposed for decades.

In September, Australia announced that it would build nuclear-powered submarines with American and British help as the allies seek to balance out China’s growing military power. For South Korea, however, any such partnership has been off-limits for nearly 50 years under the terms of a treaty with Washington that blocks it from using nuclear materials for military purposes.

President Moon Jae-in’s government has been arguing for removing the prohibition, saying building nuclear submarines is crucial to countering North Korea’s ambitions to do the same. The sense of urgency has grown as the North’s progress has deepened concerns about South Korea’s preparedness. The North has tested a series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles in recent years and announced in January that it was working on a nuclear submarine design.

“There will be no better way of chasing, monitoring and deterring North Korean nuclear submarines than by deploying our own nuclear submarines,” said Moon Keun-sik, a retired navy captain who headed an earlier attempt by South Korea to build nuclear-powered subs. “We cannot depend on the United States to do it for us.”

The South Korean reactor project comes amid growing fears of an arms race in the Indo-Pacific region, driven by the superpower conflict between China and the United States. On Monday, Australia announced a military deal with South Korea that was called the largest ever between Australia and an Asian nation.

On the nuclear power front, South Korea is not the only country developing what are known as small modular reactors, or SMRs, as a carbon-free source of power. But its project, the Advanced Reactor for Multiple Applications, has drawn special attention.

Lim Chae-young, who headed the reactor project at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, or KAERI, said that “we are not building it with a submarine in mind.” Still, the reactor’s 70-megawatt output is similar to that of early US&nbsp;submarine reactors and would be enough to power South Korea’s next-generation 4,000-ton submarines, said Bryan Clark, a submarine expert at the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

The country operates 24 nuclear reactors, which produce 29 per cent of its electricity. It has also built 21 submarines since the early 1990s. But all these vessels are propelled by batteries charged with diesel engines and must surface frequently to get fuel or air for their engines. Nuclear-powered subs can stay underwater for months at a stretch and can move much faster.

South Korea’s first attempt to develop a nuclear-powered submarine, under a covert task force known as 362 that was launched in 2003, was cut short amid controversy.

Moon Keun-sik headed the task force. By 2004, it had finished a basic design of a submarine reactor with Russian help, according to Kim Si-hwan, who worked on the project as a researcher at the Korean atomic energy institute.

The institute’s technical cooperation with Russia on small reactors goes as far back as 1995. In its 2017 annual report, OKBM Afrikantov, a Russian company that makes reactors for submarines, icebreakers and floating power plants, reported “continued discussion with KAERI on cooperation under the integral reactor project.”

The covert project was abandoned in 2004 after the discovery that the institute’s scientists had secretly enriched uranium in 2000, dabbling in a technology used to make nuclear weapons.

But South Korea has never abandoned its hopes, with the hurdles long being diplomatic, not technological. In 2016, the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative said that, if an arms race broke out in Asia, “both Japan and South Korea are capable of building nuclear-powered submarines or surface vessels.”

When Moon Jae-in was campaigning for office a year later, he declared, “It’s time for us to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.”

Shortly after his inauguration in 2017, he asked Washington to help solve the problem of the 1972 treaty, which South Korea had agreed to in exchange for US help in building a nuclear power industry.

According to Moon Chung-in, a former special adviser to Moon, President Donald Trump made a surprising suggestion: Why didn’t South Korea just buy American nuclear submarines? But Washington never followed up on this, nor did it help South Korea secure nuclear fuel for submarines, because of proliferation concerns.

“Without enriched uranium fuel, South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine, even if it was built, would be nothing but an empty shell,” said Lee Byong-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University in South Korea.

Moon’s office declined to comment.

Last year, the South Korean Defense Ministry said it would build six more submarines, the first three powered by lithium-ion batteries. It did not clarify the power source for the other three 4,000-ton submarines. But Kim Hyun-chong, who at the time was a deputy national security adviser for Moon, said South Korea’s next generation of submarines would be nuclear-powered.

The advanced reactor that South Korea is developing uses 19.75&nbsp;per cent enriched uranium for fuel, while commercial nuclear power plants use uranium enriched at less than 5 per cent. Although 19.75&nbsp;per cent enriched fuel is not unusual for small modular reactors under development, uranium with a similar level of enrichment has also been used to fuel some of the world’s nuclear submarines.

“It could be for commercial or other marine purposes, but it is a very plausible basis for developing a nuclear-powered submarine, and the higher level of enriched fuel is a fairly strong indicator of that possibility,” said Toby Dalton, a co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Not everyone thinks that South Korea needs nuclear-powered submarines.

Clark said diesel-electric submarines were generally smaller, quieter and less costly than nuclear ones, making them suitable for short-range regional operations, such as patrolling littoral waters around the Korean Peninsula. “Seoul has more important capabilities to spend its money on,” he said.

Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for Moon’s governing party in the presidential election in March, has yet to announce his stance on the matter. Yoon Suk-yeol, the main opposition candidate, said he would give priority to improving South Korea’s satellite and airborne surveillance against North Korea, rather than investing in a nuclear submarine.

“I don’t think we need it right now,” Yoon said.

But calls for nuclear subs persist.

“If North Korea builds nuclear submarines, it will be a game-changer,” said Yoon Suk-joon, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs. “The best way to deal with them is to have our own nuclear subs lurk near a North Korean submarine base, for months if necessary, and follow them when they come out.”

The meeting was low-key, a presentation last month by South Korean officials to about 50 villagers gathered in a community hall on the country’s southeastern coast.

The meeting was low-key, a presentation last month by South Korean officials to about 50 villagers gathered in a community hall on the country’s southeastern coast. The government, the audience was told, planned to build a test version of a small nuclear reactor at a new atomic research complex — the country’s largest ever — that is under construction in the village of Gampo. The modular reactor, to be completed by 2027, would be similar to those that power seagoing vessels like icebreakers and container ships. But that may not be the only ambition for this advanced technology. The project, nuclear experts say, could potentially allow South Korea to fulfill a long-held dream of developing a nuclear-powered submarine. It is something that its most powerful ally, the United States, has opposed for decades. In September, Australia announced that it would build nuclear-powered submarines with American and British help as the allies seek to balance out China’s growing military power. For South Korea, however, any such partnership has been off-limits for nearly 50 years under the terms of a treaty with Washington that blocks it from using nuclear materials for military purposes. President Moon Jae-in’s government has been arguing for removing the prohibition, saying building nuclear submarines is crucial to countering North Korea’s ambitions to do the same. The sense of urgency has grown as the North’s progress has deepened concerns about South Korea’s preparedness. The North has tested a series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles in recent years and announced in January that it was working on a nuclear submarine design. “There will be no better way of chasing, monitoring and deterring North Korean nuclear submarines than by deploying our own nuclear submarines,” said Moon Keun-sik, a retired navy captain who headed an earlier attempt by South Korea to build nuclear-powered subs. “We cannot depend on the United States to do it for us.” The South Korean reactor project comes amid growing fears of an arms race in the Indo-Pacific region, driven by the superpower conflict between China and the United States. On Monday, Australia announced a military deal with South Korea that was called the largest ever between Australia and an Asian nation. On the nuclear power front, South Korea is not the only country developing what are known as small modular reactors, or SMRs, as a carbon-free source of power. But its project, the Advanced Reactor for Multiple Applications, has drawn special attention. Lim Chae-young, who headed the reactor project at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, or KAERI, said that “we are not building it with a submarine in mind.” Still, the reactor’s 70-megawatt output is similar to that of early US submarine reactors and would be enough to power South Korea’s next-generation 4,000-ton submarines, said Bryan Clark, a submarine expert at the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank. The country operates 24 nuclear reactors, which produce 29 per cent of its electricity. It has also built 21 submarines since the early 1990s. But all these vessels are propelled by batteries charged with diesel engines and must surface frequently to get fuel or air for their engines. Nuclear-powered subs can stay underwater for months at a stretch and can move much faster. South Korea’s first attempt to develop a nuclear-powered submarine, under a covert task force known as 362 that was launched in 2003, was cut short amid controversy. Moon Keun-sik headed the task force. By 2004, it had finished a basic design of a submarine reactor with Russian help, according to Kim Si-hwan, who worked on the project as a researcher at the Korean atomic energy institute. The institute’s technical cooperation with Russia on small reactors goes as far back as 1995. In its 2017 annual report, OKBM Afrikantov, a Russian company that makes reactors for submarines, icebreakers and floating power plants, reported “continued discussion with KAERI on cooperation under the integral reactor project.” The covert project was abandoned in 2004 after the discovery that the institute’s scientists had secretly enriched uranium in 2000, dabbling in a technology used to make nuclear weapons. But South Korea has never abandoned its hopes, with the hurdles long being diplomatic, not technological. In 2016, the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative said that, if an arms race broke out in Asia, “both Japan and South Korea are capable of building nuclear-powered submarines or surface vessels.” When Moon Jae-in was campaigning for office a year later, he declared, “It’s time for us to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.” Shortly after his inauguration in 2017, he asked Washington to help solve the problem of the 1972 treaty, which South Korea had agreed to in exchange for US help in building a nuclear power industry. According to Moon Chung-in, a former special adviser to Moon, President Donald Trump made a surprising suggestion: Why didn’t South Korea just buy American nuclear submarines? But Washington never followed up on this, nor did it help South Korea secure nuclear fuel for submarines, because of proliferation concerns. “Without enriched uranium fuel, South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine, even if it was built, would be nothing but an empty shell,” said Lee Byong-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University in South Korea. Moon’s office declined to comment. Last year, the South Korean Defense Ministry said it would build six more submarines, the first three powered by lithium-ion batteries. It did not clarify the power source for the other three 4,000-ton submarines. But Kim Hyun-chong, who at the time was a deputy national security adviser for Moon, said South Korea’s next generation of submarines would be nuclear-powered. The advanced reactor that South Korea is developing uses 19.75 per cent enriched uranium for fuel, while commercial nuclear power plants use uranium enriched at less than 5 per cent. Although 19.75 per cent enriched fuel is not unusual for small modular reactors under development, uranium with a similar level of enrichment has also been used to fuel some of the world’s nuclear submarines. “It could be for commercial or other marine purposes, but it is a very plausible basis for developing a nuclear-powered submarine, and the higher level of enriched fuel is a fairly strong indicator of that possibility,” said Toby Dalton, a co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Not everyone thinks that South Korea needs nuclear-powered submarines. Clark said diesel-electric submarines were generally smaller, quieter and less costly than nuclear ones, making them suitable for short-range regional operations, such as patrolling littoral waters around the Korean Peninsula. “Seoul has more important capabilities to spend its money on,” he said. Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for Moon’s governing party in the presidential election in March, has yet to announce his stance on the matter. Yoon Suk-yeol, the main opposition candidate, said he would give priority to improving South Korea’s satellite and airborne surveillance against North Korea, rather than investing in a nuclear submarine. “I don’t think we need it right now,” Yoon said. But calls for nuclear subs persist. “If North Korea builds nuclear submarines, it will be a game-changer,” said Yoon Suk-joon, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs. “The best way to deal with them is to have our own nuclear subs lurk near a North Korean submarine base, for months if necessary, and follow them when they come out.”

South Korea has long wanted nuclear subs. A new reactor could open a door.

India has started a project to build six nuclear-powered submarines, Indian Navy Chief Sunil Lanba said today. The move is being viewed as India&#39;s bid to counter the growing influence of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean under the pretext of anti-privacy patrols.&nbsp;

On being asked about the Chinese threat, Admiral Lanba noted that it was odd for a submarine to be deployed on anti patrol. India had also carried out a threat assessment of the Chinese submarines, he further added.&nbsp;

Nuclear powered submarines have greater endurance under the sea. At present, as many as 34 ships are under construction. An indigenous aircraft carrier is being worked upon and is expected to join the Indian Navy by the end of the year 2020, the Navy Cheif added.&nbsp;

Mr Lanba declined to disclose further details on the project.&nbsp;

Earlier today, Admiral Lanba was quoted expressing concern over Chinese naval ships in Gwadar. &quot;In future, if People&#39;s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships are at Gwadar, it will be a matter of concern, we will have to have think of ways to mitigate,&quot; he noted.

&quot;In the month of August, there was a unique situation as there were 14 ships in the area,&quot; the Navy Chief added.

&quot;PLA Navy Submarine started its deployment in 2013, these are twice by two submarine for three months. One conventional submarine is followed by a. SSN. No change in this pattern. This pattern is being followed since 2013. We monitor their deployment. Once in 24&nbsp;or 48 hours, a surveillance aircraft goes for surveillance,&quot; the Navy Chief said.

India&#39;s has only one nuclear-powered submarine - INS Chakra, which was obtained from Russia on a ten-year lease.&nbsp;

Nuclear powered submarines have greater endurance under sea

India has started a project to build six nuclear-powered submarines, Indian Navy Chief Sunil Lanba said today. The move is being viewed as India's bid to counter the growing influence of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean under the pretext of anti-privacy patrols. On being asked about the Chinese threat, Admiral Lanba noted that it was odd for a submarine to be deployed on anti patrol. India had also carried out a threat assessment of the Chinese submarines, he further added. Nuclear powered submarines have greater endurance under the sea. At present, as many as 34 ships are under construction. An indigenous aircraft carrier is being worked upon and is expected to join the Indian Navy by the end of the year 2020, the Navy Cheif added. Mr Lanba declined to disclose further details on the project. Earlier today, Admiral Lanba was quoted expressing concern over Chinese naval ships in Gwadar. "In future, if People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships are at Gwadar, it will be a matter of concern, we will have to have think of ways to mitigate," he noted. "In the month of August, there was a unique situation as there were 14 ships in the area," the Navy Chief added. "PLA Navy Submarine started its deployment in 2013, these are twice by two submarine for three months. One conventional submarine is followed by a. SSN. No change in this pattern. This pattern is being followed since 2013. We monitor their deployment. Once in 24 or 48 hours, a surveillance aircraft goes for surveillance," the Navy Chief said. India's has only one nuclear-powered submarine - INS Chakra, which was obtained from Russia on a ten-year lease.

India to build 6 nuclear-powered submarines: Navy chief Sunil Lanba