India Launches Its Fourth Nuclear Submarine with Advanced Ballistic Capabilities

India Launches Its Fourth Nuclear Submarine with Advanced Ballistic Capabilities

Sub: Sci

Sec: Defence

Why in News

India recently launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), named S4*, at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. This development marks a significant advancement in India’s undersea nuclear deterrence capabilities.

Launch of INS Aridhman (S4*):

• India’s fourth SSBN, the S4*, was launched into water at the SBC in Visakhapatnam.
• It has significant indigenous content, showcasing the involvement of Indian industry in its construction.
• It has a submerged displacement of around 7,000 tons, which is larger than its predecessor, INS Arihant, and allows for the inclusion of advanced systems.
• The submarine will carry the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with a range of 3,500 km, crucial for India’s undersea nuclear deterrence.
• The S4* forms a key part of India’s nuclear triad, enabling second-strike capability from underwater, significantly boosting India’s strategic defence posture.
• It is one of the latest in a line of advanced SSBNs under construction, with plans to eventually integrate the K-5 SLBM, extending the strike range to 5,000 km

Current Operational SSBNs

India has two operational SSBNs:

1. INS Arihant (S2): Commissioned in August 2016.
2. INS Arighaat (S3): Commissioned in late August 2024.

About SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear) –

Its primary role is to serve as a strategic deterrent by providing second-strike capability, ensuring a nation can retaliate with nuclear weapons even after a nuclear attack. SSBNs can remain submerged for extended periods, making them harder to detect and adding to their effectiveness as part of a country’s nuclear triad.

Commissioned in 2016, INS Arihant is India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile-capable submarine, classified under the SSBN programme.

The SSBN is a hull classification symbol for nuclear-powered ballistic missile-carrying submarines.

The SSBN are under the purview of India’s Strategic Forces Command.

The family of indigenously developed Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs), sometimes referred to as K family missiles are code-named after Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, a key figure in India’s missile and space programmes who also served as the 11th President of India.

It is said that more members of the K-family with higher ranges are also on the cards. Launched in 2009, INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016.

About INS Arihant (S2):

It has a displacement of 6,000 tonnes and is powered by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor with enriched uranium.

Retains the same reactor and dimensions, but has several technological upgrades.

The advanced technology project began in the 1980s and its first product, the Arihant vessel, was launched in 2009 by then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and eventually commissioned in 2016.

The third of these submarines, which is at an advanced stage of construction, is set to be larger and more capable than the current two submarines in the same class.

About INS Arighaat (S3):

• 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%)
• 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.