Navy to Commission INS Aridhaman Soon, Boosting Nuclear Triad Strength

New Delhi: India is set to significantly strengthen its sea-based nuclear deterrence with the upcoming commissioning of INS Aridhaman, the third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) of the Arihant-class. The submarine is expected to be inducted into service later this year after completing advanced sea trials.

INS Aridhaman is part of India’s secretive Advanced Technology Vessel programme and represents a major step forward in the country’s strategic defence capability. It will join INS Arihant and INS Arighat in operational service, expanding the Indian Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

Defence sources indicate that Aridhaman is larger and more capable than its predecessors. While INS Arihant can carry up to 12 K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with a range of around 750 km, Aridhaman is expected to be equipped to carry longer-range K-4 ballistic missiles, which have a strike range of approximately 3,500 km. This significantly enhances India’s credible second-strike capability and extends deterrence reach across the region.

The submarine is powered by an indigenous pressurised water reactor and is designed for extended underwater endurance, allowing it to remain submerged for prolonged patrols. Greater missile capacity and improved stealth features are expected to make Aridhaman a more potent and survivable platform in India’s strategic arsenal.

India became the sixth country in the world to operate a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine when INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016. The induction of INS Arighat in 2024 further strengthened operational readiness. With Aridhaman’s commissioning, India will move closer to maintaining continuous at-sea deterrence, a crucial pillar of the country’s nuclear triad that comprises land-based missiles, air-delivered weapons, and sea-based assets.

Strategic experts note that the expansion of the Arihant-class fleet comes amid evolving security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. A stronger SSBN fleet enhances survivability of nuclear assets, ensuring assured retaliation capability in line with India’s declared no-first-use doctrine.

The commissioning of INS Aridhaman is also seen as a major milestone for India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem, highlighting advancements in submarine design, reactor technology, and missile integration. Once inducted, the submarine is expected to operate under the Strategic Forces Command, contributing to India’s long-term maritime and national security objectives.

With INS Aridhaman nearing operational status, India’s nuclear submarine programme enters a new phase, reinforcing its position as a credible and resilient maritime power in the region.