SOURCE: AFI
India has officially strengthened its nuclear triad with the commissioning of its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat. The submarine was quietly inducted into the Indian Navy by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, earlier today.
According to sources close to idrw.org, Rajnath Singh arrived at Visakhapatnam Airport at 12:30 PM before proceeding to the ENC headquarters, where the commissioning ceremony took place. The event was kept low-key, reflecting the strategic and sensitive nature of the submarine’s role in India’s defense apparatus. After the induction ceremony, the Defence Minister engaged with senior naval officials to review ongoing naval operations and strategies. Singh later departed Visakhapatnam to continue his official engagements in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
INS Arighat is an upgraded version of INS Arihant, India’s first SSBN, which was commissioned in 2016. The addition of INS Arighat to the fleet marks a significant enhancement in India’s naval capabilities, especially in terms of strategic nuclear deterrence. The submarine is a crucial part of India’s nuclear triad, which comprises land-based ballistic missiles, aircraft capable of delivering nuclear weapons, and submarines with nuclear-tipped missiles.
INS Arighat is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on the surface and can reach speeds of up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged. This enhanced speed and maneuverability, combined with its advanced stealth features, make it a formidable asset for the Indian Navy in maintaining strategic deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Similar to INS Arihant, INS Arighat is equipped with four launch tubes in its hump, capable of carrying up to four nuclear-capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs), each with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometers. Alternatively, it can be armed with twelve K-15 SLBMs, which have a range of around 750 kilometers. The ability to carry such a variety of nuclear missiles provides INS Arighat with flexible deployment options, ensuring that India’s second-strike capability remains robust and credible.
By adding another SSBN to its fleet, India is not only reinforcing its strategic deterrence but also sending a clear signal to its adversaries about its commitment to maintaining credible second-strike capabilities. The development comes amid heightened regional tensions and a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, where maintaining a robust and survivable nuclear deterrent is paramount.