India's maritime nuclear deterrent capabilities have received a significant enhancement with the commissioning of INS (Indian Naval Ship) Aridhaman.

It belongs to the Arihant-class of submarines and is the third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear vessels or SSBN) in the nation. The advanced stealth frigate INS Taragiri was also inducted into the Indian Navy during an event in Visakhapatnam.

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"Aridhaman is more than just a term; it signifies strength," tweeted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who led the two induction ceremonies earlier today.

India will possess its initial three operational ballistic missile submarines at sea following the recent progress under the Strategic Forces Command. This enhances the nation's maritime component of the nuclear triad and moves it closer to achieving continuous at-sea deterrence. Currently, there will always be at least one nuclear submarine on duty.

In comparison to the previously commissioned INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, the indigenous SSBN is designed to hold additional long-range nuclear-tipped missiles. As per the country's nuclear policy, it enhances both offensive capabilities and resilience.

The 7,000-ton INS Aridhaman is larger and more advanced than the INS Arihant and INS Arighaat. The submarine, created in Visakhapatnam, represents a major improvement in India’s homegrown defense capabilities. It is designed for enhanced endurance and stealth, featuring an 83 MW Compact Light Water Reactor created by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Its underwater detection and survivability are enhanced by advanced domestic sonar systems and sound dampening technology.

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Its greater missile capacity represents a significant improvement compared to earlier platforms. The INS Aridhaman is capable of carrying 24 K-15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750 kilometres or eight K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometres due to its eight vertical launch system tubes, which is twice that of earlier submarines.

It will also support future K-5 missiles that have a range of approximately 6,000 kilometres. The submarine will be located at the heavily secured Project Varsha naval facility designed to accommodate India’s nuclear fleet, near Visakhapatnam.

Moreover, a fourth SSBN is under construction, and both will have the capacity to carry more K-4 missiles due to their increased dimensions. The four platforms, which are part of the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, are estimated to cost Rs 90,000 crore. India has achieved its nuclear triad with the addition of platforms that enable the launch of nuclear missiles from land, air, and sea. At present, it is among the limited nations that operate nuclear-powered submarines, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China.

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The Indian Navy plans to commission its first completely indigenous nuclear attack submarine (SSN) by 2036-2037, with a second expected to be delivered in two years. The Cabinet Committee on Security has already approved the first two vessels. Similarly, the Modi administration is progressing in other naval capacities, including talks for new diesel-electric submarines under Project-75 (I) and the anticipated deployment of the Russian Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, Chakra III.

The Navy’s long-term submarine development plan, which was developed in 1999, called for the induction of 24 conventional submarines by 2030 and 6 have been put into service thus far.