Defence Minister Commissioned 'INS Arighat' SSBN Submarine into service at Visakhapatnam today

India is set to mark a significant milestone today with the commissioning of its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighat. This event, to be held in Visakhapatnam, will be graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top military officials, signaling a major step forward in India's naval capabilities.

INS Arighat, stretching 112 meters in length and displacing 6,000 tonnes, is set to enhance India's naval prowess alongside its predecessor, INS Arihant. Both submarines share the same size and displacement, but INS Arighat boasts notable upgrades that make it a more formidable asset. While maintaining the same dimensions as INS Arihant, INS Arighat can carry a greater number of K-15 missiles. These missiles, each capable of being equipped with nuclear warheads, have a range of 750 kilometers, providing substantial strike capability.

The submarine has been fully operational since early August, following extensive trials and upgrades. It is powered by an 83-megawatt pressurized light-water reactor, which allows it to remain submerged for prolonged periods, unlike conventional diesel-electric submarines that need to surface or "snorkel" frequently for battery recharging.

INS Arighat represents a significant advancement in India's strategic capabilities. As part of India's nuclear triad, it strengthens the country's ability to launch nuclear strikes from sea, land, and air. This triad includes land-based Agni ballistic missiles and aircraft like the Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage-2000, and Rafale, which are capable of delivering nuclear bombs from the air.

The commissioning of INS Arighat is a crucial step in India's efforts to bolster its sea-based nuclear deterrent. Currently, India is working on two more ballistic missile submarines under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. The next in line, INS Aridhaman, is expected to be commissioned next year. This 7,000-tonne submarine will be equipped with K-4 missiles, which have a range of 3,500 kilometers, further enhancing India's strategic reach.

India's nuclear-powered submarine fleet, while advancing, still lags behind major nuclear powers like the United States, Russia, and China. China, for instance, operates six Jin-class SSBNs equipped with JL-3 missiles with a range of 10,000 kilometers, alongside six nuclear-powered attack submarines. The United States has a substantial fleet of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs and 53 attack submarines. 

In response to these global dynamics, India is also exploring a ₹40,000 crore project to develop two new 6,000-tonne attack submarines. These "hunter-killer" submarines, armed with torpedoes and various missiles, are expected to be finalized in the coming years.

The commissioning of INS Arighat not only marks a significant upgrade in India's naval capabilities but also underscores the nation's commitment to maintaining a robust and credible nuclear deterrent.