India to commission 3rd nuclear submarine in 6 months amidst longstanding border stand-off with China
nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) within six months, further strengthening its sea-based nuclear deterrent. This comes after the formal induction of the second SSBN, INS Arighaat, into the Strategic Forces Command at Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
The upcoming third SSBN, currently undergoing trials and expected to be commissioned as INS Aridhaman early next year, is larger than its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, allowing it to carry more long-range nuclear-tipped missiles.
INS Arighaat can also deploy K-4 missiles with a range exceeding 3,000 km, unlike INS Arihant, which is equipped with 750-km range K-15 missiles. This capability is vital for maintaining a credible strategic deterrent amid ongoing military tensions with China. SSBNs, capable of remaining submerged for extended periods, provide a secure and stealthy platform for second-strike capabilities, deterring potential first strikes.
The commissioning of INS Arighaat, featuring a 6,000-tonne displacement and four missile silos, took place at the Vizag shipbuilding center. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, and DRDO Chief Samir Kamat attended the event.
«INS Arighaat will further strengthen India's nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the country's security,» Singh said.
He also referenced former PM Vajpayee’s «political will» that brought India to the
