Indian Navy To Commission Its 2nd Domestically-built Nuclear-Powered Missile Submarine

The INS Arighat, India’s second domestically built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), is set to be commissioned.

INS Arighat, scheduled to become operational within the next one to two months, is a major advancement for India’s maritime defense.

The INS Arighat, a 6,000-ton submarine built at Visakhapatnam’s Ship Building Centre, recently completed extensive trials and upgrades.

The Arighat will join the INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear-powered submarine, which was fully operational in 2018.

The enhanced features and capabilities of the INS Arighat have been developed to strengthen India’s strategic deterrence.

The Indian government has approved a new proposal to build six-nuclear powered attack submarines (SSNs) at an estimated cost of over ₹1 lakh crore (approximately $12 billion).

The initiative aims to strengthen India’s naval capabilities and is part of a larger strategy to address regional maritime challenges.

INS Arighat is equipped with advanced technology with a maximum surface speed of 12-15 knots and a submerged speed of up to 24 knots.

It features four launch tubes that can carry up to four K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with a range of about 3,500 kilometers or twelve K-15 SLBMs with a range of over 750 kilometers.

Torpedoes will be installed in the submarine’s arsenal to improve its defensive and offensive capabilities.

The new SSN project is set to incorporate around 96% indigenously sourced components, aligning with the Make in India initiative to enhance self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

The submarines will have cutting-edge stealth technology and autonomous drones.

The development of these submarines is also related to a larger defense strategy, which comprises a four-SSBN project led by INS Arighat and INS Arihant. Two additional submarines, designated S4 and S4*, are currently under construction.

Future advancements include the INS Aridhaman, which will be slightly larger and carry K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometers. The ongoing advanced technology vessel (ATV) project intends to build more submarines.

These advancements reflect India’s commitment to strengthen its naval capabilities and protect its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Reference: IndiaToday, Economic Times

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