India Commissions INS Arighaat: Reinforces Its Nuclear Deterrence

To enhance India's naval strength, the Indian Navy commissioned the second Arihant-Class submarine INS Arighaat on Thursday in Visakhapatnam. This advanced submarine is set to play a crucial role in strengthening India's nuclear triad and enhancing its nuclear deterrence.

The addition of the 112-metre-long INS Arighaat, armed with K-15 missiles that have a strike range of 750 km, to the Navy's fleet significantly enhances India's ability to deter potential adversaries.

Alongside INS Arihant, Arighaat will ensure that India can launch nuclear weapons from land, sea and air, thereby reinforcing its nuclear triad. These submarines, classified as SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic and Nuclear), are designed to stay submerged for extended periods, launch ballistic missiles and possess advanced stealth capabilities. Their nuclear reactors allow them to operate without the need for frequent refuelling, a key advantage over conventional submarines.

The commissioning of INS Arighaat comes at a crucial time, as India faces increasing challenges from China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean. With Beijing deploying 12 to 15 ships to the region annually, including a growing fleet of submarines, India's response has been to strengthen its own submarine capabilities. The Indian Navy plans to acquire 24 new vessels by 2030, including 18 conventional and six nuclear-powered submarines, to bridge the gap with China's naval power.

India's new fleet, including the SSBNs, will be deployed around strategically significant regions such as the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea and the northern part of the Indian Ocean. These waters are not only crucial for India's security but also for global trade routes, which China seeks to dominate.

INS Arighaat and its counterparts will play a vital role in maintaining a strategic balance and ensuring that India remains a formidable force in the region.

Dr Ajai Sahni, Strategic Affairs Expert, said that the induction of INS Arighaat into the Indian Navy is a testament to India's growing self-reliance in defence technology. “The submarine's advanced capabilities, including its stealth features and nuclear deterrence, will not only enhance India's security but also act as a strategic counterbalance to the increasing naval presence of adversaries in the region,” Sahni added.

The INS Arighaat, constructed using advanced design and manufacturing technology, represents a significant technological leap over its predecessor, INS Arihant. The submarine's Indigenous systems and equipment, conceptualised and manufactured by Indian scientists, industry and naval personnel, mark a major achievement in the country's defence capabilities.

In his address, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that INS Arighaat would further fortify India's strategic balance and contribute to regional peace and security. He emphasised the government's commitment, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, to achieving self-reliance in defence, describing the commissioning as a testament to the nation's determination to achieve 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in the defence sector.

Singh commended the Indian Navy, DRDO and the domestic industry for their collaboration in achieving this milestone. He highlighted how the project has provided a significant boost to the country's industrial sector, particularly MSMEs, creating numerous employment opportunities.

Countries like the US, Russia and China possess larger SSBNs with missiles that have longer ranges. For instance, China has six Jin-class SSBNs equipped with JL-3 missiles that can reach up to 10,000 kilometres, while the US operates 14 Ohio-class SSBNs.

In that direction, a project costing around Rs 40,000 crore is currently being considered by the PM-led Cabinet Committee on Security to build two 6,000-tonne 'hunter-killer' SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines) armed with torpedoes and both anti-ship and land-attack missiles.

The construction of these submarines is expected to take at least a decade. In terms of conventional submarine development, the Indian Navy has already acquired six new Kalvari-class submarines and plans to add 15 more through Project 75 India, Project-76 and Project-75 AS.

Sangeet Kumar Sanu

BW Reporters Sangeet Kumar Sanu as a Correspondent reports on Defence, Space and Foreign Affairs for BW since 2022.