India Inducts Third Nuclear-Powered SSBN ‘INS Aridaman’

India marked a major milestone in its strategic defence capabilities with the induction of its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridaman. This development significantly strengthens India’s maritime nuclear deterrence and completes a crucial leg of its nuclear triad. 

Key Highlights

• Third SSBN in Service: INS Aridaman joins INS Arihant (2016) and INS Arighaat (2024), making India capable of deploying three SSBNs simultaneously at sea for the first time.
• Enhanced Strike Capability:
  • Displacement: ~7,000 tonnes
  • Equipped with 8 vertical launch tubes (double its predecessors)
  • Can carry:
    • K-15 (range >700 km)
    • K-4 (range ~3,500 km)
• Nuclear Propulsion Advantage:
  Powered by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor, enabling:
  • Long underwater endurance
  • High stealth and survivability

🔹Strengthening India’s Nuclear Triad

• A nuclear triad refers to the capability to launch nuclear weapons from:
  • Land: Agni series missiles
  • Air: Aircraft like Rafale, Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000
  • Sea: SSBNs like INS Aridaman
• With this, India joins an elite group of nations possessing a nuclear triad United States, Russia, China, and France.

🔹 Strategic Significance

• Second-Strike Capability: In line with India’s No First Use doctrine, SSBNs ensure a credible retaliatory strike even after a nuclear attack.
• Deterrence Stability: Stealthy underwater deployment makes SSBNs difficult to detect, enhancing survivability.
• Indigenous Defence Boost: Developed under India’s long-running nuclear submarine programme with support from Defence Research and Development Organisation and collaboration with Russia.

INS Arihant & INS Aridaman 

• India’s nuclear submarine programme began over three decades ago.
• INS Arihant (launched 2009, commissioned 2016) marked India’s entry into sea-based nuclear deterrence.
• INS Arighaat (2024) further enhanced operational capability.
• INS Aridaman represents the next level of technological and strategic advancement.

Source: IE