India’s indigenous fast breeder reactor has reached criticality—a key milestone in its three-stage nuclear programme. It’ll let us recycle fuel, exploit our thorium reserves and reduce uranium import dependence, signalling progress towards energy independence.
Kalpakkam milestone: India’s nuclear fuel recycling programme is well on its way
India's fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam has reached criticality, enabling indigenous nuclear fuel recycling and thorium exploitation. The milestone affects India's nuclear energy infrastructure, reducing uranium import dependence but introducing potential cyber-physical security risks to reactor control systems and fuel handling processes.