On August 29, 2024, the Indian Navy welcomed its second Arihant-Class submarine, INS Arighaat, in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the submarine will boost India’s nuclear triad, enhance deterrence, contribute to regional stability, and strengthen national security.

What is the Nuclear Triad?

• It refers to a country’s ability to launch nuclear weapons from three different platforms: land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and air-delivered weapons. 
  • It means India will not use its nuclear weapons first. However, if India is attacked with weapons of mass destruction, it will respond strongly and not hold back.
  • This strategy ensures that even if one method of delivery is compromised, others will still be available, thus strengthening the country’s deterrence and security.
  • Second Strike Capability refers to a nation’s ability to respond with nuclear weapons after absorbing a nuclear attack. It include:
    • Survivability: Ensures that nuclear forces remain operational even after an enemy’s first strike.
    • Retaliation: Allows a country to deliver a counterattack to deter or punish the aggressor.   
    • Deterrence: Strengthens the credibility of a nation’s nuclear deterrence by ensuring it can retaliate despite an initial attack.
• India joined the ranks of countries with a nuclear triad, including the USA, Russia, China, and France, when it commissioned the INS Arihant, which made it capable of operating a nuclear triad.

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Technical Specifications of INS Arighaat

• Displacement: 6,000 tonnes
  • The displacement of INS Arighaat is 6,000 tonnes, which refers to the weight of the water the submarine displaces when fully submerged. This indicates the submarine’s size and carrying capacity.
• Propulsion: 83 MW pressurised light-water nuclear reactor
• Armament: Indigenously built K-15 missiles with a range of over 700 km.
  • K-15 missiles are indigenously developed submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) by India.
• Design and Technology: Features advanced design and manufacturing technology
• Indigenous Systems: Equipped with systems and equipment developed in India.

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Conclusion

The commissioning of INS Arighaat marks a significant enhancement of India’s strategic defense capabilities, reinforcing its nuclear triad and second-strike potential. This development not only strengthens India’s deterrence posture but also contributes to regional stability by ensuring a robust and survivable nuclear force. As India continues to modernize and expand its submarine fleet, including both nuclear and conventional vessels, it underscores its commitment to national security and self-reliance in defense technology, positioning itself among the world’s leading military powers with advanced naval capabilities.

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