INS Arighaat Commissioned, Strengthening India's Nuclear Deterrent
India marked a significant milestone in its strategic defence posture with the formal commissioning of INS Arighaat, the nation's second indigenously-built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). The submarine was inducted into service on August 29, 2024, at Visakhapatnam, the hub of India’s submarine-building capability, where it was both constructed and tested.
INS Arighaat, meaning "Destroyer of Enemies" in Sanskrit, officially joins the elite fleet under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), eight years after the induction of her sister submarine INS Arihant in 2016. The event marks a decisive leap in India's ability to maintain a credible second-strike capability, vital for a robust nuclear deterrence.
Although no photographs or videos of the submarine were released due to the sensitive nature of its role and capabilities, the significance of the induction was underscored by the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, who officiated the ceremony. In his address, he praised the submarine as a symbol of India’s growing defence self-reliance and its resolve to maintain peace through strength.
The Defence Minister emphasized that INS Arighaat will play a crucial role in bolstering India's nuclear triad, enhancing maritime deterrence, and maintaining strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific region. He hailed the milestone as a product of the collective efforts of the Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Indian industry, especially MSMEs, which were actively involved in the project.
The submarine is believed to have earlier gone by the name INS Aridhaman, and while operational deployment had quietly begun prior to the formal ceremony, the commissioning confirms its full integration into India's active naval strategic forces. The submarine brings with it a number of technological upgrades over INS Arihant, including greater ballistic missile capacity, enhanced stealth features, and improved propulsion and onboard systems.
According to the Ministry of Defence, INS Arighaat was built using state-of-the-art indigenous technologies, incorporating special materials, advanced propulsion systems, and complex engineering solutions that required highly skilled Indian scientists and shipbuilders. The submarine reflects the maturity of India’s defence industrial base and highlights its ability to independently develop high-end strategic platforms.
The government also noted that the project significantly boosted indigenous manufacturing, with major contributions from Indian private and public sector enterprises, strengthening the nation’s quest for Aatmanirbharta in defence.
Looking ahead, India plans to commission two more submarines of the same class, designated S4 and S4*, which are expected to carry enhanced payloads and further refinements in design. Beyond this, the much larger S5 class SSBN is also in the pipeline, aimed at expanding India's strategic deterrence with even more formidable capabilities.
Parallel to the SSBN development, India has commenced work on its own fleet of indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), a different class of vessels intended for conventional warfare roles such as anti-ship, anti-submarine, and long-endurance patrols.
The induction of INS Arighaat serves as a strong testament to India’s commitment to maintaining credible minimum deterrence while moving steadily towards technological self-reliance in strategic systems. The submarine’s entry into service is not just an addition to naval strength, but a powerful symbol of national security, industrial growth, and geopolitical assertion in a rapidly evolving maritime landscape.
Written by Defence Expert
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