India Set to Commission INS Aridhaman, Strengthening Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrence
India is gearing up to induct INS Aridhaman, the third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) of the Arihant-class, likely between April and May 2026. This move is set to significantly reinforce the nation’s nuclear triad and sharpen its second-strike credibility in a very real way.
Constructed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, the roughly 7,000-tonne submarine has already wrapped up its advanced sea trials and is now in the final stretch before commissioning. Senior naval leadership has hinted that the induction timeline aligns with the successful completion of trials conducted toward the end of 2025.
What makes INS Aridhaman a serious upgrade is its enhanced strike architecture. While earlier submarines like Arihant and Arighaat were designed with four missile tubes, Aridhaman reportedly comes with eight vertical launch tubes. Translation: more payload flexibility and a heavier deterrent punch. It can be configured to carry a larger load of K-15 Sagarika missiles or a combination of longer-range systems such as K-4 and future K-5 variants, effectively multiplying its operational firepower.
At its core sits an 83 MW compact pressurised light-water nuclear reactor, derived from the Kalpakkam prototype, enabling extended submerged endurance, reduced acoustic signature, and superior stealth. With underwater speeds estimated around 24 knots, its operational reach is dictated less by fuel and more by crew endurance and mission logistics — a key factor for long-duration deterrence patrols.
Once commissioned, INS Aridhaman will allow the Indian Navy to operate three Arihant-class SSBNs concurrently for the first time. That’s a big strategic shift. It strengthens the concept of continuous at-sea deterrence — the silent backbone of India’s no-first-use nuclear doctrine.
And the story doesn’t end here. A fourth submarine of the same class is already undergoing sea trials and is expected to enter service around early 2027, steadily expanding India’s stealth-based nuclear deterrent beneath the waves.
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