Submarine AridhamanI; ndia has ordered the third Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman. The induction, which is said to have taken place in Visakhapatnam, is a big step toward making India’s nuclear deterrent at sea stronger.
India has effectively strengthened its nuclear triad—land, air, and sea-based delivery systems—by adding this new weapon, which gives it a credible second-strike capability.
Submarine Weapons and Capabilities
INS Aridhaman is made to be stealthy and stay in one place for a long time. When it is on the surface, it displaces about 6,000 tonnes, and when it is underwater, it displaces about 7,000 tonnes. With the help of a cutting-edge pressurised water reactor, the submarine can stay underwater for a long time.
DON'T MISS
It has four vertical launch tubes that can hold nuclear-capable missiles like the K-15 Sagarika and the K-4, which has a longer range. This gives India the ability to hit targets at different distances, greatly increasing its strategic reach.
Making India’s strategic position stronger
The submarine is part of India’s secret Advanced Technology Vessel program, along with INS Arihant and INS Arighat. They are the main parts of the country’s sea-based nuclear deterrent.
This move shows that India is still committed to its no-first-use policy and makes sure that its nuclear weapons will still work in the future, even as regional security situations change. Because they are stealthy and mobile, sea-based platforms are thought to be the safest part of the triad.
Should Pakistan Be Worried?
Pakistan has been worried about India’s use of nuclear submarines in the past because they could make things worse in South Asia. There hasn’t been an official response yet, but these events could lead Islamabad to improve its own sea-based deterrent capabilities even more.
But analysts say that mutual deterrence could also help keep things stable strategically, since both sides have credible second-strike options.
The Bigger Picture
Submarine Aridhaman: The induction of INS Aridhaman may not have gotten a lot of attention, but it has big strategic effects. It shows that India is steadily improving its defence capabilities and that it is focused on keeping a strong and survivable nuclear deterrent.
