| Introduction: Contextual Introduction Body: What is the significance of these submarines in maritime defense and nuclear deterrence? Conclusion: Way forward |
The commissioning of INS Arighaat marks a significant milestone in strengthening India’s maritime defense capabilities and enhancing its overall nuclear deterrence strategy.
Significance
- Enhanced Maritime Strike Capability: With the induction of INS Arighaat, India now has two operational nuclear-powered submarines (SSBNs), joining the INS Arihant. This enhances India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence, a crucial element of its nuclear triad, which includes air and land-based platforms.
- Strategic Balance and Regional Stability: The nuclear triad is a vital component in maintaining strategic balance in the region. By bolstering the sea-based leg of the triad, India can project power more effectively in the Indo-Pacific region, deterring potential adversaries like China and Pakistan.
- Indigenous Technological Advancements: The Arighaat incorporates advanced technology and indigenous systems, reflecting significant progress in India’s defense manufacturing capabilities. This enhances the reliability and effectiveness of India’s second-strike capability, ensuring that the platform remains technologically superior and capable of overcoming challenges posed by more advanced adversarial forces.
Contributing to Nuclear Deterrence Strategy
- Strategic Deterrence Patrols: These patrols are a visible demonstration of India’s readiness to defend itself against nuclear threats, serving both as a deterrent and as a message to potential adversaries about India’s resolve and capability.
- Elusiveness and Endurance: INS Arighaat is powered by an 83 MW pressurized light-water nuclear reactor, allowing it to remain submerged for prolonged periods and operate undetected. This capability is essential for ensuring survivability in the event of a first strike by an adversary, thus reinforcing India’s no-first-use nuclear policy.
- Fleet Expansion and Operational Readiness: With the commissioning of INS Arighaat, India has achieved its authorized strength of 18 submarines, although operational availability may be lower due to refits. The inclusion of this second SSBN provides the Indian Navy with greater operational flexibility and the ability to maintain continuous at-sea deterrence (CASD). This ensures that India can always keep at least one nuclear-armed submarine on patrol, ready to respond to any nuclear threat.
Conclusion
The commissioning of INS Arighaat significantly strengthens India’s maritime defense capabilities by enhancing the country’s nuclear deterrence, ensuring a credible second-strike capability, and contributing to strategic stability in the region. As a key component of India’s nuclear triad, INS Arighaat plays a decisive role in safeguarding national security and maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, reaffirming India’s position as a responsible nuclear power.
