AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 7 – Panorama CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 263 of 332 Submarines carry a variety of underwater weapons called torpedoes, missiles and mines. Torpedoes are like mini submarines and are weapons that run in the water and missiles are launched underwater which then fly through the air to hit the target, which could be a ship or on land. Hence before any mission the full strength of torpedoes, missiles or mines are loaded. Since these long torpedoes have to be loaded into the submarine, they are loaded from the muzzle of the very tube they are fired from. Similarly, the anti-ship or land attack missile is also stored in tubes and are nearly the same length as torpedoes. The tubes have to be kept in top condition; hence frequent maintenance needs dedicated men. Tons of ration to feed 70 men for 60 days or more is also required to be loaded for any mission which prior to sailing out. Once these are loaded onboard, the crew is ready to sail out for the mission. The preparations on the submarine are hectic. All departments ensure that they are ready for a long war patrol. Every mission that a submarine embarks on is called a 'War Patrol'. Submarines are the most offensive instrument in any country’s arsenal. They are always armed and positioned at the mouth of the adversary’s harbours so that if a war breaks out, they will be the first responders. With total readiness the submarine proceeds to sea leaving harbour on surface and only diving when the depths of water are safe enough to do so. This is done as close to our own coast within our own protection and fire power umbrella. All submarine movements are clandestine and with stealth making all movements in dark hours. No one, not even the Captain, knows where the submarine is going on the mission. Deployment orders are top secret. They come in a sealed envelope which the Captain isn't allowed to open until he is already out at sea. This is done to maintain secrecy of operations. For the next several months, the submarine will be prowling the depths of the sea, its crew entirely cut off from the outside world, other than listening to the occasional news report which the submarine is equipped to receive even while operating underwater. A look at the hard living conditions onboard makes one realise that the four most important requirements of human beings namely, water, air, food and space are either short or regulated onboard. Space onboard is very cramped. About two thirds of the internal volume of the submarine is filled with equipment, stores and machinery. Only one third is free volume used for living and breathing. During construction of submarines preference is first given to fitment of equipment and only in the balance