India's nuclear submarine set for sea trials

India on Wednesday said its first self-built nuclear-powered submarine was set for sea trials, as it detailed billion-dollar projects to arm its navy with warships, aircraft and modern weaponry.

The indigenous 6,000-ton INS Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies) was unveiled in 2009 as part of a project to construct five such vessels that would be armed with nuclear-tipped missiles and torpedoes.

"Arihant is steadily progressing toward operationalization, and we hope to commence sea trials in the coming months," Indian navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma told reporters.