INS Arighat submarine

**INS Arighat: India's New-Generation Submarine Enhancing Naval Capabilities** India’s naval prowess has seen a significant boost with the commissioning of the INS Arighat, an advanced nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). This sophisticated vessel, built under the highly secretive Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme, represents a major step forward in India’s quest for self-reliance in defence, showcasing the country's capabilities in indigenous submarine technology. The INS Arighat is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering India’s maritime security and expanding its strategic deterrence capabilities. ### Origins and Design The INS Arighat is the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine in India’s fleet, following in the footsteps of the INS Arihant. Laid down in 2011, the vessel was quietly launched in 2017, underscoring the discrete nature of India’s nuclear submarine programme. Built at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, the Arighat is a part of India’s broader vision to maintain a credible minimum deterrence, one of the key pillars of its nuclear doctrine. It is designed to carry out underwater deterrence patrols, a critical function to ensure second-strike capabilities in the event of a nuclear attack. Equipped with a displacement of approximately 6,000 tonnes, it shares several characteristics with its predecessor, the INS Arihant, but is expected to be more advanced, with enhanced stealth features, improved sonar systems, and greater operational capabilities. The INS Arighat is reported to be armed with both torpedoes and ballistic missiles. It has the capacity to carry up to twelve K-15 Sagarika missiles or four K-4 ballistic missiles, giving it the capability to strike at targets more than 3,500 kilometres away. These long-range nuclear missiles solidify its role as a strategic deterrent, capable of striking deep into enemy territory while remaining undetected in the ocean depths. ### Strategic Importance The addition of the INS Arighat to the Indian Navy strengthens the country’s nuclear triad, which consists of land-based ballistic missiles, air-launched weapons, and submarine-launched missiles. A credible nuclear triad is essential for maintaining a secure second-strike capability, a deterrence strategy aimed at ensuring that India can respond to any nuclear attack with a powerful retaliatory strike, even if its land-based nuclear assets are compromised. Unlike surface vessels, a nuclear-powered submarine like the INS Arighat can remain submerged for extended periods, making it difficult to detect and target. This provides a crucial advantage in terms of survivability, allowing it to patrol stealthily across vast oceanic expanses. ### Technological Advancements While the exact technical specifications of the INS Arighat remain classified, experts speculate that it is fitted with state-of-the-art sonar systems, a quieter propulsion system, and improved reactor technology, enhancing its operational capabilities. The Arighat’s nuclear reactor allows it to stay submerged for extended durations without needing to surface, which offers strategic flexibility and reduces the risk of detection by enemy forces. The vessel is also likely equipped with advanced communication systems to enable seamless coordination with command and control centres during deterrence patrols. ### Boost to India’s Maritime Security The commissioning of the INS Arighat represents a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernise its naval forces and assert its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. In recent years, the Indian Ocean has become a theatre of geopolitical competition, with several major powers, including China, increasing their naval activities in the region. The deployment of nuclear-powered submarines like the INS Arighat not only strengthens India’s maritime security but also acts as a strategic counterbalance to the growing influence of China’s navy. In conclusion, the INS Arighat is a testament to India’s growing technological expertise and its determination to safeguard its national security interests. As the second SSBN to join the Indian Navy’s fleet, it is set to play a crucial role in maintaining regional stability and ensuring that India remains prepared for any eventuality in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific region.