Introduction
INS Arighat is India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. It was commissioned under the Advanced Technology Vessel project and is an important addition to India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent. It strengthens India’s nuclear triad by enhancing the country’s ability to launch nuclear weapons from underwater platforms.
Nature of Platform
• Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
• Classified as SSBN
• Built under the Advanced Technology Vessel project
• Part of India’s strategic deterrence programme
Commissioning
• Commissioned in 2024
• India’s second operational SSBN after INS Arihant
Meaning of SSBN
SSBN stands for:
• Ship
• Submersible
• Ballistic
• Nuclear
It refers to submarines that carry ballistic missiles, usually nuclear-capable, and are powered by nuclear reactors.
Strategic Importance
INS Arighat is important because it strengthens India’s nuclear triad, which means the ability to launch nuclear weapons from:
• Land
• Air
• Sea
Its major value lies in survivability. Since SSBNs are difficult to detect, they can survive a surprise first strike and launch retaliatory attacks. This makes them vital for second-strike capability.
Comparison with INS Arihant
• INS Arighat is the second SSBN in the Arihant class
• It follows INS Arihant, which became fully operational in 2018
• Though similar in size and displacement, INS Arighat can carry more K-15 missiles
Power System
• Powered by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor
• Reactor developed with Russian assistance
Missile Capability
INS Arighat is equipped with vertical launch system tubes for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
Important details:
• Has four large vertical launch system tubes
• Carries K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles
• K-15 is a two-stage, solid-propellant missile
• Range is more than 700 km
K-15 Sagarika
The K-15 missile associated with INS Arighat is:
• A submarine-launched ballistic missile
• Part of India’s K-family missile programme
• Nuclear-capable
• Designed for sea-based deterrence
Future Development
• The next submarine in this line is INS Aridhaman
• It is expected to be a larger 7,000-tonne vessel
• It is associated with K-4 missiles
• K-4 has a range of about 3,500 km
This shows the gradual strengthening of India’s long-range sea-based deterrence.
Role in Deterrence
INS Arighat contributes to:
• Credible minimum deterrence
• Assured retaliation
• Second-strike capability
• Strengthening of sea-based nuclear posture
Key Facts for Prelims
• INS Arighat is India’s second SSBN
• Commissioned in 2024
• Built under the Advanced Technology Vessel project
• Powered by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor
• Equipped with four vertical launch system tubes
• Carries K-15 Sagarika SLBMs
• Strengthens India’s nuclear triad
Conclusion
INS Arighat is a major milestone in India’s strategic defence capability. As the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, it deepens the sea-based leg of India’s nuclear triad and improves the country’s second-strike capability.
