New Delhi : The Indian Navy is set to commission its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, between April and May this year, further expanding India’s indigenous sea-based strategic deterrent capability.
INS Aridhaman, designated S4 during development, is the third submarine of the Arihant class under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme. It follows the commissioning of INS Arihant (S2) in 2016 and INS Arighat (S3) in August 2024. The submarines are constructed at the Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam, as part of India’s long-running indigenous nuclear submarine development programme.
Compared to its predecessors, INS Aridhaman incorporates structural modifications and increased dimensions. The submarine is longer and larger than INS Arihant and INS Arighat, reflecting design refinements made after the first two vessels. A key change is its expanded missile capacity. While the earlier Arihant-class boats are fitted with four vertical launch tubes, INS Aridhaman is equipped with eight missile silos, allowing it to carry a greater number of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) during deterrent patrols.
The submarine is designed to deploy both the K-15 Sagarika SLBM, with an approximate range of 750 kilometres, and the K-4 ballistic missile, which has a tested range of about 3,500 kilometres. The increase in launch tubes enables a higher missile load-out or a mixed configuration, depending on operational requirements.
With the induction of INS Aridhaman, the sea-based leg of India’s nuclear triad will gain additional operational depth. SSBNs are central to ensuring a survivable second-strike capability, a core element of India’s credible minimum deterrence doctrine. Their ability to remain submerged for extended durations enhances assured retaliatory capability.
The commissioning of INS Aridhaman marks the continued progression of the ATV programme and strengthens India’s indigenous strategic submarine fleet, which will comprise three operational SSBNs in the Arihant class.
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