INS Arighaat commissioned: India strengthens nuclear deterrence with new submarine.

According to information published by the Indian government on August 29, 2024, the Indian Navy has officially commissioned its second Arihant-Class submarine, INS Arighaat, in a ceremony held at Visakhapatnam.
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Indian Navy's Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighat. (Picture source: News IADN)

In his address, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that the induction of INS Arighaat marks a significant milestone in India's quest for self-reliance in defense, aligning with the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbharta’.

About the submarine

The INS Arighat is part of India's effort to strengthen its nuclear triad, which consists of land-based missiles, air-delivered weapons, and sea-based nuclear capabilities. This is particularly important in the context of regional security dynamics, where India faces strategic competition from both China and Pakistan.

The ability to deploy nuclear assets underwater significantly increases the survivability of India's nuclear deterrent, as SSBNs are harder to detect and target compared to land-based systems

The submarine was launched in 2017 at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. Like its predecessor, INS Arihant, commissioned in 2016, Arighat is powered by an 83 MW pressurized water reactor, allowing it to remain submerged for extended periods.

INS Arighat is designed to carry a variety of ballistic missiles. It can be equipped with up to twelve K-15 missiles, which have a range of approximately 750 kilometers, or four K-4 missiles with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometers. These missiles are capable of being fitted with nuclear warheads, thereby enhancing India's strategic deterrence posture. The submarine is also armed with torpedoes.

It is one of a planned four-submarine series under the Arihant-class project, with two additional submarines, designated as S4 and S4*, currently under construction. INS Arighat can reach speeds of up to 24 knots (approximately 44 km/h) when submerged and between 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on the surface.

Additionally, India is pursuing the development of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), which will further enhance its undersea warfare capabilities. This focus on indigenous development reflects India's strategy of self-reliance in defense, reducing dependence on foreign technology.