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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

As India ramps up its nuclear submarine fleet, the Indian Navy is constructing a strategic Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmitting station in Vikarabad, Telangana, set to become fully operational by 2027. This new infrastructure is critical for enhancing communication with the Navy’s expanding fleet of nuclear-powered submarines (SSBNs and SSNs), ensuring secure and reliable links for submerged vessels.

Located 75 kilometres from Hyderabad in the Damagudam Reserve Forest near Pudur village, the station will feature three imposing 500-meter-tall radio transmitter towers, equivalent to about 165 floors. These towering structures will form the backbone of the Navy’s advanced communication system, specifically designed to transmit messages to submarines operating at depths far below the surface.

The VLF station is essential for India’s underwater fleet, particularly its SSBNs (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines), which form the sea leg of the country’s nuclear triad. The ability to communicate securely with submarines at extreme depths is crucial to maintaining continuous deterrence and ensuring rapid response capabilities in times of conflict or crisis.

India’s current fleet includes two operational Arihant-class SSBNs, with a third, a further stretched and improved variant S4, expected to join the Navy by mid-2025. The S4 (Star)* SSBN is scheduled for induction by late 2026. The addition of these SSBNs will strengthen India’s nuclear deterrent capabilities, but reliable communication is paramount to their effectiveness. The VLF station in Vikarabad is expected to provide that vital link.

VLF signals, which have very long wavelengths, can penetrate seawater to depths of several hundred meters, allowing submerged submarines to receive messages without having to surface, which would risk exposing their position. This capability is especially important for SSBNs, which must remain undetected during long patrols to maintain their second-strike capability.

The VLF station also complements India’s broader C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) network, which is key to conducting integrated maritime operations. By providing a reliable communication link with submerged nuclear submarines, India enhances its strategic deterrence and ensures that its nuclear-armed SSBNs can remain effective under all circumstances.

India’s SSBN program is also expected to be complemented by the development of SSNs under Project-77, aimed at producing nuclear-powered attack submarines for offensive and defensive operations. These SSNs will add further teeth to India’s undersea warfare capabilities, and the VLF station will be crucial for maintaining command and control over these advanced platforms as well.

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