{"id":308932,"date":"2024-08-31T17:30:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-31T12:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=308932"},"modified":"2024-08-31T17:47:32","modified_gmt":"2024-08-31T12:17:32","slug":"ins-arighat-and-indias-nuclear-triad-significance-and-challenges-explained-pointwise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/ins-arighat-and-indias-nuclear-triad-significance-and-challenges-explained-pointwise\/","title":{"rendered":"INS Arighat and India’s Nuclear triad- Significance and Challenges- Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently, INS Arighat<\/span>, Indian Navy’s second Nuclear Submarine<\/span>, was commissioned into the Indian Navy<\/span>. The induction of INS Arighaat aims to further strengthen India\u2019s nuclear triad<\/span>, enhance nuclear deterrence<\/span>, help in establishing strategic balance<\/span> and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country<\/span>.<\/p>\n

In this article, we will focus on INS Arighaat and India’s nuclear triad. We will look into the significance of INS Arighaat and India’s nuclear triad. We will also look at how the India’s nuclear triad enhance India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. We will also look into the challenges in further development of India’s deterrence capabilities, and the way forward to address these challenges.<\/p>\n

\"India's
Created By Forum IAS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is INS Arighat? What are the features of INS Arighaat?<\/a>
\nWhat is Nuclear Triad? What is Nuclear Deterrence and the history of development of Nuclear Deterrence?<\/a>
\nWhat is the Significance of INS Arighat?<\/a>
\nWhat are the Challenges with India’s Nuclear Deterrence?<\/a>
\nWhat Should be the Way Forward?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What is INS Arighat? What are the features of INS Arighat?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/td>\nINS Arighat is India\u2019s second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine<\/span> (SSBN). It is the successor of India’s first nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant. However, it is significantly more advanced than its predecessor<\/span>, INS Arihant<\/span>, due to the indigenous technological advancements incorporated into it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Built By<\/strong><\/td>\nThe submarine was constructed at the Indian Navy\u2019s Ship Building Centre<\/span> (SBC) in Visakhapatnam.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Features<\/strong><\/td>\n1. Nuclear Powered-<\/strong> Both the INS Arihant and the INS Arighat are powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water nuclear reactors<\/span>. This enables them to remain submerged for longer durations compared to conventional diesel-electric submarines<\/span>, which need to surface regularly to charge their batteries.
\n2. Nuclear Tipped Missiles-<\/strong> Like its predecessor, the INS Arighat has four launch tubes in its hump. It can carry up to 12 K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles<\/span> (SLBMs), each with a range of 750 kilometres<\/span> (km), or four K-4 SLBMs<\/span> with a range of 3,500 km.
\n3. Speed and size-<\/strong> The INS Arighat, with a displacement of around 6,000 tonnes, is capable of achieving a maximum speed of 12-15 knots<\/span> (22-28 km\/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots<\/span> (44 km\/h) when submerged.
\n4. Advanced Stealth Technology-<\/strong> The submarine features advanced stealth technology to reduce its detectability by enemy sonar systems<\/span>. Its design incorporates lessons learned from INS Arihant, improving its operational effectiveness and survivability.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What is Nuclear Triad? What is Nuclear Deterrence and the history of development of Nuclear Deterrence?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Nuclear triad-<\/strong> Nuclear triad refers to a country\u2019s ability to launch nuclear missiles<\/span> from platforms<\/span> in the air<\/span>, land<\/span>, and at sea<\/span>.<\/p>\n

India’s nuclear triad-<\/strong> India is part of a select group of countries with nuclear triad<\/span> capabilities. These countries include the United States, Russia, China, and France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Sea Based Deterrence<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
INS Arihant<\/strong><\/td>\nIndia\u2019s\u00a0first indigenous Ballistic Missile Submarine<\/span> (SSBN). The induction of INS Arihant into the Navy in 2016 provided India with maritime strike capability for the first time. INS Arihant conducted its first deterrence patrol in 2018<\/span>, thus establishing India\u2019s nuclear triad.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
INS Arighat<\/strong><\/td>\nINS Arighat is India\u2019s second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine<\/span> (SSBN). It is the successor of India’s first nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
S-4<\/strong><\/td>\nIt will be India\u2019s third indigenous nuclear ballistic missile<\/span> submarine (SSBN) after INS Arihant and Arighat. The S-4 submarine will be bigger than the INS Arihant and Arighat, with more space for nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Land Based Deterrence<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Agni Series<\/strong><\/td>\nThe Agni\u00a0series of ballistic missiles\u00a0are among India\u2019s most prominent strategic weapons<\/span>. The series includes\u00a0Agni-I<\/span>\u00a0(700-1,250 km range),\u00a0Agni-II<\/span>\u00a0(2,000-3,000 km range),\u00a0Agni-III<\/span>\u00a0(3,000-5,000 km range),\u00a0Agni-IV<\/span>\u00a0(4,000 km range), and\u00a0Agni-V<\/span>\u00a0(5,000 range). Agni-V<\/span>, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles<\/span>, capable of reaching targets as far as Europe and China.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prithvi Series<\/strong><\/td>\nDeveloped by DRDO, the Prithvi series comprises short-range ballistic missiles<\/span> designed for tactical use. These missiles, including\u00a0Prithvi I<\/span>\u00a0(150 km range) and\u00a0Prithvi II\u00a0<\/span>(250-350 km range),\u00a0can carry both conventional\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0nuclear warheads<\/span>, providing India with a flexible deterrence option against regional threats.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shaurya<\/strong><\/td>\nShaurya is a\u00a0land-based hypersonic missile<\/span>\u00a0developed by India, designed to\u00a0deliver nuclear payloads with precision at hypersonic speeds. Its\u00a0range is around 700-1,000 km<\/span>, enhancing India\u2019s deterrence capabilities by introducing a fast and maneuverable delivery system.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Air Based Deterrence<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rafale aircraft<\/strong><\/td>\nThe induction of the Rafale aircraft has provided the Indian Air Force with a sophisticated aircraft with nuclear-warhead-carrying capability<\/span>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Nuclear Triad aids in bolstering Nuclear Deterrence capabilities<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nuclear Deterrence-<\/strong>\u00a0Nuclear deterrence is a\u00a0strategy employed by states possessing nuclear weapons\u00a0to\u00a0prevent adversaries from initiating a nuclear attack<\/span>\u00a0by convincing them that the costs and consequences of such an attack would outweigh any potential benefits.<\/p>\n

Principle Behind Nuclear Deterrence-<\/strong>\u00a0Nuclear Deterrence operates on the principle of\u00a0Mutually Assured Destruction<\/span>\u00a0(MAD<\/span>), where both sides possess sufficient nuclear capabilities to inflict unacceptable damage on each other, thereby deterring any hostile actions.<\/p>\n

India\u2019s Nuclear Policy and Nuclear Deterrence<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Maintenance of credible nuclear deterrence is one of the foremost priorities of India\u2019s Nuclear Policy.
\na. Credible Minimum Deterrence-<\/strong>\u00a0India would maintain a sufficient number of nuclear weapons<\/span> to deter a nuclear attack, but it would not seek to match other countries\u2019 arsenals in size.
\nb. Retaliation to a Nuclear Attack-<\/strong>\u00a0If India is subject to a nuclear attack<\/span>, it would retaliate, causing massive damage to the aggressor.<\/p>\n

Development of India\u2019s Nuclear Deterrence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1947<\/strong><\/td>\nPost Independence, India pursued development of nuclear weapons capability, particularly in\u00a0light of regional tensions\u00a0<\/span>and the\u00a0emergence of nuclear-armed neighbours<\/span>, namely\u00a0China\u00a0and\u00a0Pakistan.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1974<\/strong><\/td>\nIndia conducted its first nuclear test, codenamed \u2018Smiling\u00a0Buddha<\/span>\u2018. This test demonstrated India\u2019s nuclear deterrence capabilities.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1974-1998<\/strong><\/td>\nDuring this phase,\u00a0India maintained nuclear ambiguity<\/span>,\u00a0neither confirming nor denying the possession\u00a0of nuclear weapons. This ambiguity served as a form of deterrence, maintaining uncertainty about India\u2019s nuclear status.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1998<\/strong><\/td>\nThe\u00a0Pokhran Tests of 1998<\/span>, which comprised of five nuclear detonations, both fission and fusion, marked India\u2019s evolution as a nuclear weapons state.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
After 1998 Tests<\/strong><\/td>\nFollowing the 1998 tests, India outlined its Nuclear Doctrine. The key elements of India\u2019s nuclear doctrine include a\u00a0No First Use<\/span>\u00a0(NFU) policy,\u00a0minimum credible deterrence<\/span>, and\u00a0retaliation\u00a0<\/span>only in the event of a nuclear attack.
\nIndia has worked to develop Nuclear Triad<\/span> for enhancing India’s Nuclear Deterrence.
\nIndia also established Strategic Forces Command<\/span> (SFC) to oversee the management, deployment, and operational control of India\u2019s nuclear forces.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What is the Significance of INS Arighat?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Boost to India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities-<\/strong> Induction of INS Arighat, the second nuclear-powered submarine of the Arihant class, significantly boosts<\/span> India\u2019s nuclear deterrence capabilities<\/span>.<\/p>\n

2. Enhances regional security-<\/strong> It strengthens the nuclear triad, the ability to launch missiles from land, air, and maritime platforms. Its deployment enhances regional security<\/span> and contributes to India\u2019s strategic influence.<\/p>\n

3. Survivability and execution-<\/strong> These submarines have the ability to survive a surprise attack<\/span> and execute retaliatory strikes, given India’s \u201cno-first use<\/span>\u201d nuclear policy,<\/p>\n

4. More advanced-<\/strong> The Arighaat is significantly more technologically advanced than the Arihant<\/span>, with the indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by Indian scientists, industry, and naval personnel.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What are the Challenges with India’s Nuclear Deterrence?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Sea Based Deterrence Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. India’s sea based deterrence smaller than foreign counterparts-<\/strong> The United States<\/span> (US), Russia<\/span>, United Kingdom<\/span> (UK), France<\/span>, and China<\/span> possess larger nuclear submarines<\/span> with longer-range missiles. For ex-<\/strong> China has 12 nuclear submarines<\/span>, of which six are nuclear-powered attack submarines. The United States has 14 Ohio-class SSBNs<\/span> and 53 fast-attack submarines<\/span>.<\/p>\n

2. Large percentage of submarine fleet under maintenance-<\/strong> Around 30 per cent of the fleet<\/span> is under refit (repair and renovation), which has brought down the strength of operational submarines.<\/p>\n

Other Deterrence Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Inadequate nuclear testing facilities-<\/strong>\u00a0The lack of sufficient testing<\/span>\u00a0undermines\u00a0the extent to which the\u00a0re-entry vehicles could be designed to carry the warheads.<\/p>\n

2. Opacity surrounding the warhead numbers-<\/strong>\u00a0There is opacity around the number of warheads, Agni-V<\/span>, can carry due to its classified nature. However, specialists suspect that it at present,\u00a0it can carry at most only three warheads.<\/p>\n

3. Low yield of the nuclear Warheads-<\/strong>\u00a0There are concerns that the yield of the nuclear warheads is limited <\/span>due to the small number of atomic tests conducted by India.<\/p>\n

4. Problems with Sea based nuclear deterrence-<\/strong>\u00a0There are problems of\u00a0deep-sea communications with SSBN<\/span>\u00a0because the very low-frequency systems in use on the submarine<\/span> are prone to disruption at great depths.<\/p>\n

5. Swift Expansion of Chinese Nuclear Arsenals-<\/strong>\u00a0Beijing has been making\u00a0brisk advancements\u00a0with its missile and missile defence programmes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What Should be the Way Forward?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Early testing of long-range Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM)-<\/strong>\u00a0India must add punch to its nuclear arsenal by testing its\u00a0long-range Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile<\/span> (SLBM)\u00a0which can be launched by its\u00a0nuclear submarines.<\/p>\n

2. Investment in Missile Defence Systems-<\/strong>\u00a0To counter the growing threat from China\u2019s modernizing nuclear arsenal<\/span>, India should invest in developing and deploying advanced missile defence systems<\/span>, like\u00a0expediting development of Agni VI.<\/p>\n

3. Strengthening of Conventional Capabilities-<\/strong>\u00a0While maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent, India\u00a0should also focus on strengthening its conventional military capabilities<\/span>. This can help deter conventional conflicts that may escalate to the nuclear level.<\/p>\n

4. Cooperation with Allies-<\/strong>\u00a0India should continue to cooperate with its allies and partners, such as the\u00a0United States<\/span>, to deter potential aggressors. This could involve\u00a0sharing intelligence,\u00a0conducting joint military exercises, and\u00a0coordinating on defence strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read More- The Indian Express<\/a>
\nUPSC Syllabus- \u00a0GS 3- India\u2019s achievement in Science and Tech
\nGS 2- India and its neighbourhood relations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Recently, INS Arighat, Indian Navy’s second Nuclear Submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. The induction of INS Arighaat aims to further strengthen India\u2019s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country. In this article, we will… Continue reading INS Arighat and India’s Nuclear triad- Significance and Challenges- Explained Pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10357,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-308932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-7-pm","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10357"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=308932"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/308932\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=308932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=308932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=308932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}