SOURCE: AFI
India appears to have quietly retired its nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile system, a significant development in the country’s nuclear posture. For years, the Dhanush, a ship-launched variant of the Prithvi missile, was deployed on two specially modified Sukanya-class offshore patrol vessels, INS Subhadra and INS Suvarna.
Satellite imagery and open-source intelligence have revealed that the distinctive missile stabilizer platforms once present on these vessels have been removed. This, coupled with the absence of official statements about the Dhanush system since 2019, strongly suggests that the system has been decommissioned.
While the Dhanush has been removed from active service, it is highly probable that the associated nuclear warheads have been retained and integrated into India’s land-based missile arsenal. This decision aligns with the country’s broader nuclear strategy, focusing on land and submarine-based nuclear delivery systems.
The retirement of the Dhanush marks a significant shift in India’s naval nuclear posture. While the exact reasons for this decision remain unclear, it could be attributed to factors such as the development of more advanced submarine-launched ballistic missiles, budgetary constraints, or a reassessment of the system’s strategic value.
This development comes as India continues to modernize its nuclear forces, with a focus on enhancing survivability and deterrence capabilities.