INS Aridhaman

News: India inducted INS Aridaman, its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), strengthening its sea-based nuclear deterrence capabilities.

About INS Aridhaman

• INS Aridhaman is the third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine or Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN).
• Commission year: It is being commissioned in 2026.
• It is part of the strategic weapons programme, falls under the domain of the Strategic Forces and is part of the India’s nuclear triad.
• Features: 
  • The submarine features a streamlined hull design, which improves its stealth and acoustic performance underwater.
  • Size: It is slightly longer than 111.6 meters, with a width (beam) of 11–12 meters.
  • Propulsion: It is powered by nuclear propulsion and boasts a “virtually unlimited” operational range.
  • Displacement: It has a displacement of around 7,000 tonnes.
  • It is powered by an 83 MW pressurised water reactor (PWR).
  • Armaments: It is equipped with eight vertical launch tubes.
    • It can carry either eight K-4 long-range missiles with a range of 3,500 km or up to 24 K-15 missiles with a range of 750 km.
    • It has six 533 mm torpedo tubes used to fire heavyweight torpedoes for protection.
  • It provides India with an assured second-strike capability, allowing retaliation even after a nuclear first strike.
  • Its induction also allows India to maintain “continuous at-sea deterrence.”
• Earlier commissioned Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN):
  • INS Arihant (2016) 
  • INS Arighaat (August 2024).
• To be commissioned SSBN: The fourth SSBN of the Aridhaman class, often referred to as S4*, is undergoing sea trials and is expected to be commissioned in 2027.

About INS Arihant

• INS Arihant is India’s first nuclear ballistic missile submarine.
• Launched in: It was launched in 2009.
• Commission year: It was commissioned into the Navy in 2016.
• It conducted its first deterrence patrol in 2018, thus establishing India’s nuclear triad.
• It was developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project.
• Developed by: It was jointly developed by the Indian Navy, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam. 
• Features: 
  • It features a versatile offensive suite for strategic strikes and tactical defence. 
  • Armaments: Its four Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes can carry either 12 K-15 missiles (750 km range) or four K-4 missiles (3,500 km range). 
  • It has six torpedo tubes, enabling the launch of heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship missiles against surface and underwater threats.
  • It is powered by an 83 MW pressurised light water reactor (CLWR) fueled by enriched uranium, allowing for extended deployments without the need to surface for refuelling.
  • Drive System: It operates on a single shaft driven by a steam turbine.
  • Operational Speed: It has an operational speed of approximately 24 knots when submerged and between 12 and 15 knots when surfaced.
  • Depth Capability: It has an estimated diving depth exceeding 300 metres, enabling it to operate effectively in deep-sea environments. 

About Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) There are three types of nuclear- powered submarines: SSN (Submersible Ship Nuclear): It carries conventional weapons. SSGN (Ship Submersible Guided Nuclear): It carries guided missiles with conventional warheads. SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear): It is typically the largest and most complex type of submarine. It is powered by nuclear propulsion and is specifically designed to carry and launch ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads, serving as a strategic deterrent.