India’s New Nuclear Submarine INS Arighat with 3,500km-Range Missiles and 70% Indigenous Content

India has taken a significant leap in bolstering its nuclear deterrence capabilities with the commissioning of INS Arighat, its newest nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). With a range of advancements over its predecessor, INS Arihant, the INS Arighat represents not only cutting-edge technology but also a remarkable achievement in India’s push for self-reliance in defense production.

INS Arighat, commissioned by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is part of India’s strategy to secure its maritime and strategic interests with a second SSBN. Unlike INS Arihant, which entered service in 2018 with missiles capable of reaching targets up to 750 kilometers, INS Arighat comes equipped with missiles boasting a far superior range of over 3,500 kilometers. This extended range vastly enhances India’s ability to strike distant targets, providing a much stronger deterrent against potential adversaries.

The submarine’s missile capability is backed by indigenous technology, with nearly 70% of its systems and components being designed, manufactured, and integrated in India. This is a key achievement under India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, as the country aims to reduce its dependency on foreign technology, particularly in critical defense platforms. The development of INS Arighat involved extensive collaboration between Indian scientists, engineers, defense personnel, and local industries, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s naval capabilities.

The submarine’s design builds on the experience gained from INS Arihant, but INS Arighat incorporates numerous improvements. It is larger, capable of carrying more weapons, and features superior stealth characteristics, making it harder to detect by enemy forces. Additionally, its reactor design allows for longer patrol durations, which means it can remain submerged for extended periods, providing a more enduring nuclear deterrent.

INS Arighat is powered by a pressurized water reactor (PWR), which uses highly enriched uranium as fuel. The reactor allows the submarine to operate at great depths, improving its survivability and making it less vulnerable to detection. Coupled with its ballistic missile capabilities, this makes Arighat a cornerstone of India's nuclear triad, ensuring that India can launch nuclear strikes from land, air, and sea.

With INS Arighat now in active service and a third SSBN expected to join the fleet soon, India’s submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) force is rapidly evolving into a formidable shield. These submarines not only enhance India's second-strike capability—a key component of nuclear deterrence—but also signal to the world that India is a self-sustaining military power.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the national pride associated with INS Arighat, praising the dedication and ingenuity behind its construction. The project, which required years of research, development, and precision engineering, has elevated India into a small group of nations capable of independently developing such sophisticated platforms.

With a combination of technological innovation, strategic firepower, and indigenous development, INS Arighat symbolizes a new chapter in India’s maritime defense. Its induction significantly strengthens the nation’s ability to protect its interests in the Indian Ocean and beyond, solidifying its role as a regional power and a key player on the global stage. 

As India continues to expand its SSBN fleet, it’s clear that INS Arighat will play a pivotal role in maintaining strategic balance and safeguarding the country’s security.