INS Aridhaman: Boosting India’s Nuclear Deterrence at Sea

INS Aridhaman Latest News

• India has inducted its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, along with the stealth frigate INS Taragiri at Visakhapatnam. There has been no formal announcement of its commissioning.
• The quiet induction of INS Aridhaman follows the same pattern as earlier Arihant-class submarines—INS Arihant (2016) and INS Arighaat (2024). 
• Its addition is significant as it strengthens India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence, a crucial component of the country’s strategic defence capability.

Induction of INS Aridhaman

• India has inducted its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, significantly enhancing its sea-based nuclear deterrence. 
• With this induction, India now has three operational SSBNs, marking a major milestone in its strategic capabilities.

Enhanced Capabilities of the Submarine

• INS Aridhaman is an indigenous SSBN designed to carry a greater number of long-range nuclear-tipped missiles compared to its predecessors—INS Arihant (commissioned in 2016) and INS Arighaat (2024). 
• This advancement strengthens India’s ability to maintain a credible deterrent.

Strengthening India’s Nuclear Triad

• The induction further consolidates India’s nuclear triad, which refers to the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea. 
  • Land-based systems: Agni series missiles 
  • Air-based systems: Fighter aircraft like Rafale, Su-30MKI, and Mirage 2000 
  • Sea-based systems: SSBNs like INS Aridhaman
• India joins a select group of countries—the US, Russia, China, and France—that possess such capability.

Second-Strike Capability and Deterrence

• India follows a “No First Use” nuclear doctrine, meaning nuclear weapons are intended only for deterrence and retaliation. 
• In this context, SSBNs play a critical role by ensuring a second-strike capability.
• Even if an adversary targets India’s land and air bases in a first strike, SSBNs operating stealthily at sea can launch a retaliatory nuclear attack, thereby maintaining credible deterrence.

‹ ›

Features of INS Aridhaman

• INS Aridhaman is a 7,000-tonne nuclear-powered submarine equipped with eight vertical launch tubes, nearly double that of its predecessors. 
• This allows it to carry a larger number of nuclear-capable missiles.
• It is powered by upgraded nuclear reactors, enabling it to remain submerged for months without surfacing, significantly improving stealth and survivability.
• The submarine can deploy:
  • K-15 SLBMs with a range of over 700 km 
  • K-4 SLBMs with a range of around 3,500 km 
• This combination enhances India’s ability to strike targets at varying distances.
• India is also building a fourth SSBN, expected to be larger and capable of carrying more K-4 missiles, further strengthening the country’s sea-based nuclear deterrent.

Origins of India’s Nuclear Submarine Programme

• India’s nuclear-powered submarine project began over three decades ago, involving collaboration between the DRDO, private industry, and technical assistance from Russia. 
• The aim was to build an indigenous sea-based nuclear deterrent.

INS Arihant: The First Milestone

• INS Arihant, launched in 2009 and commissioned in 2016, became India’s first nuclear-powered submarine, giving the country a maritime nuclear strike capability for the first time.
• In 2018, Arihant completed its first deterrence patrol, marking the operationalisation of India’s nuclear triad. 
• Later, in October 2022, it successfully launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in the Bay of Bengal with high accuracy.

INS Arighaat: Technological Advancement

• The induction of the 6,000-tonne INS Arighaat in 2024 further strengthened India’s nuclear strike capability. 
• It is considered more technologically advanced than Arihant, incorporating improved design, engineering, and manufacturing techniques.
• Its construction involved advanced R&D, specialised materials, complex engineering processes, and skilled workmanship, reflecting India’s growing expertise in submarine technology.

Nuclear Propulsion and Stealth Capability

• Both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat are powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water nuclear reactors, enabling them to remain submerged for long durations and operate with greater stealth compared to conventional diesel-electric submarines.
• Together, these submarines form the backbone of India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, enhancing survivability, stealth, and second-strike capability as part of the country’s broader nuclear strategy.

Future Submarine Plans of India

• India is expanding its underwater capabilities through multiple initiatives. 
• It is pursuing a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) programme, under which two SSNs will be built indigenously, while one submarine will be leased from Russia, expected by 2027–28, to bridge immediate capability gaps.
• Additionally, India is close to finalising the Project-75I submarine deal with Germany, where ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems will collaborate with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd to build six advanced conventional submarines with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology in India.
• However, there is still uncertainty regarding the acquisition of three additional Scorpene-class submarines.

India’s Submarine Strength and Operational Capacity

• India currently operates 16 conventional submarines, in addition to its SSBN fleet. 
• These include six Kalvari-class submarines built with France’s Naval Group, four Shishumar-class, and seven Kilo (Sindhughosh)-class submarines.
• While the Navy is authorised to maintain a fleet of 18 submarines, about 30% are typically under refit at any given time, reducing the number of operational submarines available.
• In comparison, the United States operates 14 Ohio-class SSBNs and 53 attack submarines, while China has around 12 nuclear submarines, including six nuclear-powered attack submarines, highlighting the capability gap India aims to bridge.

Source: IE | ToI | IE