Photo via Sandeep Unnithan
India today formally commissioned into service its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) INS Arighaat — Sanskrit for destroyer of enemies — in Visakhapatnam where it was built and tested. Arighaat joins service with India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) eight years after the lead submarine of its class INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016.
The commissioning ceremony spawned no photographs or images of the submarine itself. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said, ‘The second Arihant-Class submarine ‘INS Arighaat’ was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024 at Visakhapatnam in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. In his address, the Raksha Mantri exuded confidence that ‘Arighaat’ will further strengthen India’s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance & peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country. He described it as an achievement for the nation and a testament to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s unwavering resolve to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.’
The ceremony, typically out-of-bounds for the press, spawned a small set of photographs, none of which show the submarine itself.
The MoD statement continued, “Shri Rajnath Singh commended the Indian Navy, DRDO & the Industry for their hard work and synergy in achieving this capability. He termed this self-reliance as the foundation of self power. He appreciated the fact that the country’s industrial sector, especially MSMEs, have received a huge boost through this project, and more employment opportunities have been created. Recalling former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s political will which put India at par with a nuclear weapon state, the Raksha Mantri said, “Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in today’s geopolitical scenario. Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil” .
Believed to have earlier been called Aridhaman, the new submarine has technically been in operational service for a while now with India’s nuclear command. Today’s commissioning ceremony was merely a formality.
Compared with the older INS Arihant with which it shares hull and other design aspects, INS Arighaat reportedly comes with a larger ballistic missile capacity and technological improvements across all aspects, from propulsion to internal design.
‘The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research & development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship. It has the distinction of having the indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured & integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel. The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on this submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor Arihant. The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests,’ said the MoD statement.
India’s nuclear submarine program plans two more of the Arighaat class, designated S4 and S4*. The below graphic reflects the Arighaat’s erstwhile name. A fourth submarine class designated S5 will be much larger. Also, other than the Indian Navy’s leasing program for Russian Akula II nuclear powered attack submarines (SSN), India has also begun work on an unnamed class of indigenous SSNs.
Six years ago, this video on Livefist’s YouTube channel detailed India’s nuclear submarine plan: