In a major milestone for India’s nuclear deterrent strategy, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the country’s second nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the INS Arighat. As per reports, the commissioning ceremony in Vishakhapatnam was attended by Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, head of Indian strategic command, Vice Admiral Suraj Berry and top DRDO officials. The Arighat is the successor to the INS Arihant commissioned in 2016, which was the first SSBN as part of India’s indigenous nuclear deterrent project, SSBN series of Arihant-class submarines.  

All about INS Arighat  

INS Arighat, named after the Sanskrit term meaning ‘destroyer of enemies’, is the second submarine of the Arihant class. It has reportedly been under construction since its launch in 2017 at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam.  

The source of its power is 83 MW pressurized light-water reactors, which allow it to stay submerged for months. The submarine has a displacement of 6,000 tonnes and is 112 metres long.  

The INS Arighat can reach a speed of 12-15 knots (22-28 km km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) underwater. What makes the submarine formidable is its ability to carry 12 K-15 Sagarika Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) with a range of 750 km or 4 K-4 missiles capable of striking down enemies as far as 3,500 km.  

It features a double hull with ballast tanks for optimum structural rigidity. It also features two standy auxiliary engines and a retractable thruster for emergency power and mobility. 

Significance of Arihant in India’s defence: 

The second nuclear submarine in India’s Arihant-class of submarines marks a major step forward in India’s defense strategy. INS Arighat’s main objective is to function as India’s reliable second nuclear deterrent. It features more advanced technology, storage and stealth capabilities as compared to its predecessor, the INS Arihant, while sharing the same dimensions.  

As per experts, the INS Arighat’s strength lies in its state-of-the-art stealth technology which allows it to deal with threats swiftly, quietly and with acute precision. The commissioning of this vessel also provides India with two vessels in the Indo-Pacific region, which is a huge strategic advantage against any foreign navy which may looking to stir some trouble. The cutting-edge submarine provides India with a valuable tool for multi-faceted operations, be it gathering intel to anti-submarine warfare. 

The Arihant-class submarines also put India in the exclusive club of countries in possession of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). Other members of this club include- the United States with 14 Ohio-class SSBNs, UK with 4 Vanguard-class SSBNs, France with 4 Le Triomphant-class SSBNs and China with 6 Type 094 Jin-class SSBNs. The Russian Navy utilizes four 24,000-ton Borei I class SSBNs (the fourth vessel Knyaz Vladimir scheduled to enter service this year), six 18,200-ton Delta IV class SSBNs, one recently overhauled Delta III class SSBN (Ryazan), and the last of the largest submarine class ever built, the giant Typhoon class Dmitriy Donskoy (TK-208). 

India’s Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program: 

The ATV program is a part of India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, which is one of the three legs of India’s triad of airborne, naval and land-based platforms as minimum nuclear deterrent. The first ATV submarine, INS Arihant, was commissioned in August 2016, which marked India’s first step to operationalize its nuclear triad.  

The Indian Navy has begun the construction of the remaining two Arihant-class submarines, the S-3 and S-4. These successors to the Arihant and Arighat are expected to have more storage for the K-4 and K-15 missiles and a larger displacement of 7,000 tonnes. 

India plans to have four Arihant-class SSBNs and at least two S-5-class SSBNs, which will complement the S-4 SSBNs, which carry intermediate-range Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs).