INS Arighaat, India’s 2nd Nuclear Ballistic Submarine

India continues to enhance its defense capabilities by commissioning its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat. This strategic addition to the Indian Navy not only strengthens the country’s nuclear deterrence but also establishes India as a formidable maritime force in the Indo-Pacific region. The commissioning of INS Arighat on August 29, 2024, marks a significant milestone in India’s quest for a credible nuclear triad.

INS Arighat

INS Arighat, classified as an SSBN, is a nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. The submarine is the second of the Arihant-class fleet, following INS Arihant, which was commissioned in 2016. INS Arighat significantly enhances India’s second-strike capability, crucial to its No-First-Use (NFU) nuclear policy.

India’s 2nd Nuclear Ballistic Submarine

India is set to commission its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat, on August 29, 2024. As part of the Arihant-class, this 6,000-tonne submarine enhances India’s nuclear deterrence with K-15 Sagarika missiles and provides a robust second-strike capability. INS Arighat, alongside INS Arihant, strengthens India’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring a credible response to potential threats and contributing to regional maritime security.

INS Arighat’s Strategic Role

INS Arighat plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Equipped with K-15 Sagarika missiles (with a range of 750 km) and potentially longer-range missiles in the future, the submarine provides India with an effective and survivable second-strike capability. In the event of a nuclear strike against India, the SSBN can remain undetected in the depths of the ocean and launch retaliatory strikes, thus deterring adversaries from considering a first strike.

Features and Capabilities of INS Arighat

• Displacement: INS Arighat has a displacement of approximately 6,000 tonnes, making it larger than traditional submarines.
• Nuclear Reactor: The submarine is powered by an indigenous nuclear reactor, allowing it to stay submerged for long durations without surfacing, which is critical for maintaining stealth and endurance.
• Missile Capacity: INS Arighat is designed to carry 12 K-15 missiles or 4 K-4 missiles (with a range of 3,500 km), providing strategic flexibility.
• Endurance: As a nuclear-powered vessel, INS Arighat’s endurance is limited only by logistics and crew needs, unlike diesel-electric submarines which must frequently surface to recharge batteries.

Importance in India’s Nuclear Triad

India’s nuclear triad consists of three components:

1. Land-based missiles: Such as the Agni series of ballistic missiles.
2. Air-launched nuclear weapons: Delivered by strategic bombers or fighter jets.
3. Sea-based nuclear deterrence: Achieved through SSBNs like INS Arihant and INS Arighat.

INS Arighat significantly strengthens the sea-based leg of this triad, ensuring that India maintains a second-strike capability, a critical aspect of nuclear deterrence. With the addition of this second SSBN, India can patrol the seas more effectively, making it harder for adversaries to neutralize India’s nuclear deterrent in a first strike.

INS Arighat and Regional Security

Located at the strategic crossroads of the Indo-Pacific, India’s SSBNs offer crucial leverage in an increasingly volatile region. With China expanding its naval footprint and modernizing its fleet, including its own SSBNs, the addition of INS Arighat helps India to balance power dynamics in the region. The submarine’s ability to remain undetected underwater for extended periods makes it an effective deterrent against both conventional and nuclear threats.

China’s Concerns

The commissioning of INS Arighat has raised concerns in China, which views the enhanced capabilities of the Indian Navy as a potential challenge to its dominance in the region. Chinese military experts have called on India to use its nuclear capabilities responsibly, emphasizing that nuclear weapons should only be used for peacekeeping and not for power projection. However, India’s intent behind developing a robust nuclear triad is primarily defensive, focusing on deterrence rather than aggression.

Future Plans: Expanding India’s SSBN Fleet

INS Arighat is part of India’s larger plan to build a fleet of five Arihant-class SSBNs by the mid-2030s. INS Aridaman, the third SSBN in the series, is expected to be commissioned in 2025, followed by two more submarines with improved capabilities. These submarines will have the ability to carry longer-range missiles, including the K-4 and K-5 ballistic missiles, which will further extend India’s strategic reach.

Conclusion

The commissioning of INS Arighat marks a significant step forward in India’s defense capabilities. As India continues to modernize its military and enhance its nuclear deterrence, the SSBN will play a vital role in ensuring the country’s security in an increasingly complex global environment. INS Arighat represents the culmination of years of indigenous research, development, and technological advancement, establishing India as a major player in the maritime domain.

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