First picture of Indian SSBN

"India Today" has published the first picture of the newly built 'Arihant' Indian first SSBN (via livefist blog). Although the picture is intentionally downgraded and PS-ed the visible resemblance with Russian Delta-IV class SSBN is clear. It rather disproves previous reports (mostly in Pakistani and Chinese media) that 'Arihant' could be a copy of obsolete 'Charlie'-class SSN. The Russian support in 'Arihant' design was  confirmed early by number of sourses.  

Project 667BDRM 'Dolphin' (Delta-IV) – is the backbone of modern Russian strategic marine nuclear forces.  There are 8 subs of this class on service now. The first submarine of this class was laid down in February 1984. According to the most trustful Russian site 'Atrina'  issued to sub-surfice warfare this class of submarines is very quite. Then an American hunter SSN of «Improved Los Angeles» class can detect Delta-IV from 30 km distance only in ideal condition. However, 92% of time the weather and hydro-acoustic conditions aren’t ideal in Ice Ocean, then American sonar BQQ-5 cannot detect it at all or the distance of detection is reduced to only 10 km.There are clear visible anechoic plates on the Arihant's skin too, so its probably level of acoustic emission must be close to Russian Delta-IV class.