India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat, is expected to be commissioned on August 29 in Visakhapatnam. According to defense sources, the final preparations for the ceremony are nearly complete.
INS Arighat is an advanced version of INS Arihant, India’s first SSBN, marking a significant leap in the nation’s naval strength, particularly in its strategic nuclear deterrence capabilities. This submarine is part of a broader project to build four SSBNs, with two more, currently known as S4 and S4*, still under construction.
INS Arighat is capable of reaching speeds of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.
Similar to INS Arihant, INS Arighat is equipped with four launch tubes in its hump. It can carry up to four nuclear-capable K-4 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) with a range of over 3,500 kilometers, or twelve K-15 SLBMs with a range of approximately 750 kilometers. The K-15 missile is also capable of being fitted with a strategic nuclear warhead. In addition to these missile systems, INS Arighat will be armed with torpedoes.
The submarine has been under construction and rigorous testing since its launch in 2017 at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning of INS Arighat signifies a crucial advancement in India’s nuclear triad, bolstering its capacity to maintain a credible second-strike capability.
With INS Arighat joining the Navy, India’s nuclear submarine program achieves a significant milestone, further solidifying the nation’s strategic defense posture.
