India is preparing to commission its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighat, which is equipped with nuclear missiles for strategic deterrence. The submarine, weighing 6,000 tonnes, was built at the Ship-Building Centre (SBC) in Vizag. After completing extensive trials and receiving necessary upgrades, INS Arighat is now ready for formal commissioning. It is expected to join its sister submarine, INS Arihant, which became operational in 2018. The commissioning of INS Arighat is anticipated within the next one or two months.
Upcoming Conventional Submarine Project
Parallel to the nuclear submarine development, India is advancing a project to build two nuclear-powered attack submarines with conventional weapons. This project, costing around Rs 40,000 crore, is awaiting final approval from the PM-led Cabinet Committee on Security. Initially, the plan was to construct six 6,000-tonne ‘hunter-killer’ submarines (SSNs) under Project-77. This number has since been reduced to two. The first two SSNs, expected to be 95% indigenous, will take approximately a decade to complete. The remaining four SSNs will be considered for approval at a later stage.
Current Submarine Fleet and Strategic Needs
India’s approved plans require a minimum of 18 diesel-electric submarines, four SSBNs, and six SSNs to address threats from China and Pakistan. Currently, India operates only one SSBN, INS Arihant, which uses an 83 MW pressurized light-water reactor, and 16 diesel-electric submarines. The conventional fleet includes six Russian Kilo-class submarines, four German HDW submarines, and six new French-origin Scorpenes. In contrast, China boasts a fleet of 60 submarines, including six Jin-class SSBNs and six SSNs, and continues to expand its naval capabilities.
Enhancements in India’s Nuclear Triad
INS Arighat will enhance India’s nuclear triad, which includes land, air, and sea-based nuclear capabilities. The submarine will be armed with 750-km range K-15 missiles, similar to INS Arihant, but with a larger payload capacity. The third SSBN, INS Aridhaman, scheduled for commissioning next year, will be slightly larger and equipped with 3,500-km range K-4 missiles. A fourth SSBN is under construction as part of the Rs 90,000 crore advanced technology vessel (ATV) project, with plans for even larger 13,500-tonne SSBNs featuring powerful 190 MW reactors.
Importance of SSNs
SSNs are crucial for stealthy, high-speed operations and long-duration submerged missions. They are capable of targeting enemies discreetly without surfacing frequently, unlike diesel-electric submarines. Until the indigenous SSNs are available, India will lease an advanced Akula-class SSN from Russia in 2026, as part of a $3 billion deal finalized in March 2019.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. What is the primary purpose of INS Arighat?
- A) Scientific research
- B) Strategic deterrence with nuclear missiles
- C) Conventional warfare
- D) Coastal patrol
- Answer: B) Strategic deterrence with nuclear missiles
2. How many SSNs does India currently plan to build under Project-77?
- A) Six
- B) Four
- C) Two
- D) Three
- Answer: C) Two
3. What is the expected commissioning timeline for INS Arighat?
- A) Within the next six months
- B) Within the next one or two months
- C) Within the next year
- D) Within the next three years
- Answer: B) Within the next one or two months
4. How many SSBNs does India currently have operational?
- A) Two
- B) Four
- C) One
- D) Three
- Answer: C) One
5. What type of reactor powers INS Arihant?
- A) Diesel-electric
- B) Gas-turbine
- C) Pressurized light-water reactor
- D) Nuclear thermal reactor
- Answer: C) Pressurized light-water reactor
6. What will INS Arighat carry compared to INS Arihant?
- A) Fewer missiles
- B) The same number of missiles
- C) A larger number of missiles
- D) No missiles
- Answer: C) A larger number of missiles