For a credible second-strike platform, Naval Chief Admiral Madhvendra Singh today underlined the need for submarines to become the ‘‘strongest arm of the nuclear triad’’. ‘‘India being a declared nuclear state with no first use doctrine must have a nuclear triad with the strongest arm at sea, preferably underwater,’’ Singh said at the annual press conference ahead of Navy Day celebrations to be held on Wednesday.‘‘It doesn’t make sense to keep nuclear weapons on land. If you keep them on land, they are bound to be targetted,’’ he added.Citing the road taken by Western powers to tone up their nuclear second-strike capabilities, he refused to confirm India’s reported interest in leasing Akula class nuclear submarines, as reported in The Indian Express. ‘‘I cannot confirm nor deny,’’ he said.Ever since going nuclear in the early 70s, India has been looking for a credible delivery option for it’s nuclear arsenal. Submarines, the world over, has acquired the status of being the best ‘‘second strike’’ platform, being difficult to detect and with the ability to stay under water for as long as three months.With Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit due tomorrow, the Naval Chief said negotiations on the Admiral Gorhskov were at an advanced stage. The Navy wants to build its own air defence ship, which has been ‘‘cleared by the government’’. ‘‘It will take eight to 10 years to build and will displace 37,000 tonnes,’’ Singh said. Defending the Gorhskov acquisition, Singh rubbished theories that it was a ‘‘sitting duck’’. ‘‘We need it and there is no doubt about this.’’
