Kumar Bahukhandi
NS Aridaman has been commissioned after months of sea trials. It is learnt that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the commissioning ceremony at a naval base in Kerala. — X.com
India is among a select group of countries that possess nuclear-powered submarines. The countries that have such assets are the US, Russia, the UK, France and China
New Delhi: India has commissioned its third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, ‘INS Aridaman’, according to indications from defence minister Rajnath Singh. Singh posted on X, “Shabd nahin shakti hai, ‘Aridaman’! (It is not a word but power, ‘Aridaman’!)”, signalling the development.
There has been no formal official statement on the commissioning.
The 7,000-tonne submarine is nuclear-powered and capable of carrying nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, strengthening India’s strategic deterrence. It is expected to be equipped with eight K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 km.
The addition of INS Aridaman to the Strategic Forces Command will enhance India’s nuclear triad — the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air and sea. Under its “no first use” policy, India relies on assured retaliatory capability, with sea-based assets providing survivability. India has previously commissioned INS Arihant, operationalised in 2018, and INS Arighat, commissioned in August two years ago.
Officials have indicated that a fourth submarine under the programme is expected to be commissioned around 2027. Plans are also in place for a new class of larger submarines with higher displacement and longer-range missile capability.
With three such submarines, India is expected to maintain continuous at-sea deterrence by deploying at least one platform underwater at all times. Separately, India is set to lease a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia, to be named Chakra III, for a period of 10 years, with delivery expected around 2027 or 2028 after delays linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Unlike ballistic missile submarines, such attack submarines do not carry nuclear weapons but enhance underwater combat capability. The developments mark a step in strengthening India’s maritime and strategic defence capabilities.
