SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant boost to India’s strategic deterrence capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to induct its third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) later this year, with the fourth expected to join the fleet in 2026. As India’s sea-based leg of the nuclear triad continues to mature, the Navy and associated maintenance shipyards are working diligently to ensure that the SSBN fleet maintains a high operational readiness rate.
According to sources familiar with naval strategic planning told idrw.org, the goal is to maintain at least 80% of the SSBN fleet in a combat surge-ready state, allowing for two submarines to be at sea at all times. This high level of readiness is critical to guaranteeing a credible second-strike capability, a cornerstone of India’s nuclear doctrine.
In scenarios involving heightened threat perception, the Navy has contingency plans to deploy up to three SSBNs simultaneously, ensuring the survivability and effectiveness of India’s nuclear deterrent. This approach not only reinforces strategic stability but also reflects the Navy’s growing proficiency in managing complex undersea operations with nuclear assets.
While the long-term vision includes the development of the S5-class SSBNs, which are expected to be larger and more capable than the current Arihant-class submarines, those platforms are more than a decade away from becoming operational. As a result, the Navy’s immediate focus will remain on operationalizing and sustaining a fleet of four SSBNs over the next 15 years.
The effort to keep 80% of the SSBN fleet mission-ready involves not only regular maintenance and logistical support but also advanced training regimens and real-time readiness evaluations. Defence shipyards and technical support teams are being integrated closely with fleet commands to ensure minimal downtime and rapid turnaround between patrol cycles.
India’s current SSBNs are capable of carrying nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles such as the K-15 (Sagarika) and K-4, providing a survivable and potent deterrent under the sea. With the upcoming inductions, India is on track to establish a robust continuous at-sea deterrence posture similar to that maintained by other established nuclear powers.
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