India is gearing up to commission its second nuclear submarine, the INS Arighat, with the formal launch scheduled for today in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will oversee the ceremony, and top military officials are expected to attend.
The INS Arighat, measuring 112 meters in length, will join the INS Arihant as part of India’s nuclear triad. This enhancement bolsters India’s capability to launch nuclear missiles from air, land, and sea.
Equipped with K-15 missiles that are nuclear-capable and have a range of 750 kilometers, the 6,000-ton submarine recently completed extensive trials and upgrades, making it fully operational.
Although similar in size and displacement to the INS Arihant, the INS Arighat features improvements including increased missile capacity and enhanced stealth and efficiency. Both submarines are powered by 83MW pressurized light-water reactors, allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods, unlike conventional diesel-electric submarines that need to surface frequently.
India is also in the process of building two additional nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Next year, the INS Aridhaman, a larger 7,000-ton submarine, will be commissioned. It will carry K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometers. A fourth submarine is under development as part of the classified Rs 90,000 crore advanced technology vessel (ATV) project.
The INS Arighat and its sister vessels play a crucial role in India's nuclear deterrent strategy. They provide a second-strike capability that ensures India can respond to any nuclear attack, in line with its "no-first use" nuclear policy.
Despite these advancements, India still trails behind major nuclear powers such as the United States, Russia, and China. China operates six Jin-class SSBNs with JL-3 missiles and six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). The U.S. maintains a formidable fleet with 14 Ohio-class SSBNs and 53 SSNs.
India is also considering a Rs.40,000 crore project to develop two 6,000-tonne SSNs, designed for anti-ship and land-attack missions, pending approval from the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security. This project is expected to span over a decade.
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