Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commission India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat (S-3), on August 29, 2024, marking a momentous milestone for the nation’s naval prowess. Senior naval officials, including Vice Admiral Suraj Berry of the Indian Strategic Command, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, and important figures from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would be present at the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place in Visakhapatnam.
INS Arighat: Enhancing India’s Strategic Capabilities
The 6,000-ton ship INS Arighat marks a major advancement in India’s maritime defence plans. With its 750-kilometer-range K-15 nuclear ballistic missiles, the submarine strengthens India’s ability to launch a second strike in accordance with its nuclear no-first-use policy. India will bolster its nuclear triad and solidify its standing as a potent naval force in the Indo-Pacific area with the commissioning of INS Arighat.
An important development in India’s strategic defence is the commissioning of INS Arighat, which will supplement the INS Arihant (S-2) that is currently in service. When combined, these SSBNs will strengthen India’s nuclear triad—which also has air- and land-launched nuclear capabilities—and act as a formidable deterrence against future enemies.
Future Developments and Strategic Goals
When INS Aridaman (S-4) and a fourth SSBN, dubbed S-4*, are put into service later in the year, the Indian Navy will be ready for even greater progress. India’s capacity to prevent underwater threats is anticipated to be greatly increased by these additions.
India’s submarine fleet will grow in the future thanks to the construction of a new class of SSBNs that will be bigger and equipped to transport nuclear ballistic missiles with a 3,000-kilometer range. Additional missile tubes on these new submarines would bolster India’s strategic defence stance even more.
Strategic Impact and Naval Modernization
India’s SSBN fleet is strategically significant due to its central location in the Indo-Pacific area. Having two SSBNs in the area will act as a strong deterrent to any prospective naval threats. INS Arighat is a significant improvement over its predecessor, INS Arihant, which was largely used as a technology demonstrator. It has sophisticated technology and an indigenous nuclear reactor.
The guided missile stealth destroyer INS Surat, the stealth guided missile frigate INS Taragiri, and the sixth Kalveri-class attack submarine, INS Vagsheer, will join the Indian Navy to bolster its capabilities in addition to the SSBNs. Additionally, plans are in motion to place an order with Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. for three more Kalveri-class submarines.
Results
An important milestone in India’s developments in naval and strategic defence is the commissioning of INS Arighat. INS Arighat will be crucial in preserving regional peace and enhancing India’s standing as a significant actor in international maritime security as the nation continues to develop its maritime capabilities.
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