6 countries with nuclear submarines

The world was first introduced to nuclear submarines during the Cold War, which dramatically changed the global defense landscape. According to reports, the concept emerged in the 1950s when the U.S. launched the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, in 1954. These submarines are powered by nuclear reactors, allowing them to remain underwater for long periods without needing to surface. This technological innovation gave countries stealth and a new weapon in their arsenal. There are only six countries that possess nuclear submarines; let us take a brief look into them.

The western superpower USA has the largest nuclear-powered fleet worldwide. It has 66 nuclear submarines, more than half of its closest competitor. The United States submarine force consists of four operational classes—Ohio, Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Virginia—all of which are equipped with nuclear energy.

Russia has a total of 31 submarines, making it second on the list. The Russian naval army currently has 10 nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) of two classes: five Delta IV (Project 667 BDRM) and five Borei (Project 955), according to reports.

Next in line is China, which possesses 12 nuclear submarines, of which six are Shang-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). Other types include the Type 094 submarine, Type 095 submarine, and the Type 091 submarine of the Han class.

Not far behind is the United Kingdom, which has 10 nuclear missiles in its naval arsenal. The United Kingdom's nuclear submarines include the Vanguard class and the Astute class. Another class of submarines, called the Dreadnought class, is currently under construction.

Closely following its neighbor is France, which possesses 9 nuclear submarines in total. Rubis-class, Suffren-class, Le Triomphant-class, and Barracuda-class are some of the nuclear submarines that France owns. The Rubis class is set to retire by 2030. France also sells the Suffren-class submarines to international buyers.

New to this list is India, which currently has 2 nuclear-powered submarines. Its first submarine, INS Arihant, was launched in 2009 and commissioned in 2016. It was built in India with the assistance of Russia. Its second nuclear submarine, INS Arighat of the SSBN class, was recently commissioned in Visakhapatnam, strengthening India’s naval defense position in the world.

Nuclear power offers several significant benefits, making it a crucial component of the global energy mix. One of its primary advantages is its ability to generate large amounts of electricity with minimal carbon emissions, helping to combat climate change. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear power plants produce virtually no air pollutants, contributing to cleaner air and improved public health. Additionally, nuclear energy is highly reliable, providing a stable and continuous power supply regardless of weather conditions. The industry also supports economic growth by creating numerous high-paying jobs and stimulating local economies. Furthermore, a strong civilian nuclear sector enhances national security by reducing dependence on foreign energy sources and fostering technological advancements. Overall, nuclear power is a sustainable and efficient energy source that plays a vital role in meeting the world’s growing energy demands while protecting the environment.

Image: Canva

US Nautilus was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. The submarine was built by the Naval Reactors Branch of the Atomic Energy Commission. Nautilus' was commissioned on September 30, 1954 in Groton, Connecticut and its first voyage on nuclear power was on January 17, 1955.



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