INS Aridaman – India’s Third Nuclear Submarine

Why in News?

India has inducted INS Aridaman, strengthening the country’s sea‑based nuclear deterrence and completing a fleet of three operational SSBNs at sea for the first time.

• Type – Nuclear‑powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).
• Role – Strategic deterrence, second‑strike capability.
• Part of – India’s nuclear triad (land, air, sea).
• Objectives
  • Enhance survivability of nuclear deterrent forces.
  • Provide assured second‑strike capability under India’s “No First Use” doctrine.
• Displacement – 7,000 tonnes.
• Launching System – 8 vertical launch tubes (compared to 4 on Arihant and Arighaat).
• Missile Capability – K‑15 SLBM – Range 750 km and K‑4 SLBM – Range 3,500 km.
• Reactor – Advanced nuclear reactor, upgraded for longer submerged endurance.
• Construction – 90% Indigenous project with support from DRDO and Russian collaboration.
• Key Features –
  • Long submerged endurance – Months underwater without surfacing.
  • Stealth – Nuclear propulsion ensures low detectability compared to diesel‑electric submarines.
  • Strategic Payload – Larger missile capacity than INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
• Operational Roles –
  • Strategic Deterrence – Retaliatory nuclear strike capability.
  • Maritime Security – Strengthening India’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • Nuclear Triad – Completes Sea‑based leg of India’s deterrence.
• Other Submarines
  • INS Arihant – Commissioned 2016, India’s first SSBN. Conducted deterrence patrol in 2018.
  • INS Arighaat – Commissioned 2024, technologically advanced compared to Arihant.
  • INS Aridaman – Inducted 2026, larger, and more capable, doubling missile launch capacity.

Quick Facts

References

1. Indian Express | INS Aridaman
2. Economic Times | INS Aridaman