INS Arighaat: India’s second nuclear sub

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Defence

Context:

India’s second nuclear powered submarine, the Arighaat, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam after extensive trials.

Background:

It is part of India’s Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine (SSBN) program.
The project was initiated more than three decades ago, involving both private firms and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), with help from Russia.
The first nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant was launched in 2009.

About INS Arighaat:

INS Arighaat is a 6,000-tonne Arihant-class ballistic missile submarine.
Arighaat will be armed with indigenously built K-15 missiles, with a range of more than700km.
It can reach a speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.
It is powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water nuclear reactors, which allow it to remain submerged and undetected for much longer than conventional diesel-electric submarines.
Compared to Arihant, the indigenisation content has doubled in Arighaat (from 30% to 60%)

Significance:

INS Arighaat will enhance the Navy’s nuclear strike capability, and will serve as a vital component of India’s nuclear triad.
Arighaat adds to India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, which is the most credible and survivable leg of the nuclear triad.

Nuclear triad:

Nuclear triad refers to a country’s ability to launch nuclear missiles from platforms in the air, land, and at sea.
India is part of a select group of countries with nuclear triad capabilities that include US, Russia, China, and France.
The induction of INS Arihant into the Navy in 2016 provided India with maritime strike capability for the first time.

Types of nuclear submarines:

Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSN): one that carries conventional weapons.
Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN): capable of carrying guided missiles with conventional warheads.
Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN): can carry ballistic missiles that may be nuclear armed.

India’s Nuclear Doctrine:

No first-use policy: India is committed to using nuclear weapons only for deterrence and retaliation.
Credible minimum deterrent: India must have a minimum credible deterrent that must be capable of massive retaliation in case of a nuclear attack by any adversary.
Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states.