Giving a major boost to operation readiness and nuclear deterrence, India is likely to commission its second indigenously designed and manufactured nuclear powered submarine INS Arighat on Thursday.  The first submarine INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016.

As regards, INS Arighat, it was launched in 2017 at its manufacturing base, Ship Building Centre (SBC), Visakhapatnam. In fact, the SBC is building five nuclear powered submarines.  While Arihant is already operational and Arighat to be commissioned on Thursday, work is now on the remaining two submarines.  They are in advanced stage of construction, it was learnt.

INS Arighat is 111.6 meters long and weighs 6,000 tonnes. It plays a crucial role in India’s nuclear triad, enabling the nation to launch nuclear missiles from land, air, and sea. Powered by an 82.5 MW pressurized light water reactor developed with Russian assistance, INS Arighat can achieve a top speed of 24 knots submerged and 10 knots on the surface.

Its primary armament consists of 12 K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), each with a range exceeding 700 kilometers. These missiles are housed in four large vertical launch system (VLS) tubes and are a testament to India’s indigenous missile development capabilities.

The submarine is divided into seven compartments, housing propulsion and combat management systems, a platform management center, and a torpedo room. Additional safety measures include two standby auxiliary engines and a retractable thruster for emergency power and mobility.

INS Arighat follows in the footsteps of INS Arihant, India’s first SSBN, which was commissioned in 2016. A third, yet-to-be-named SSBN was launched in 2021, further solidifying India’s commitment to developing a credible sea-based nuclear deterrent. The commissioning of INS Arighat is expected to be attended by top defence, national security, and military officials. The Arihant class submarines, named after the Sanskrit word meaning ‘Destroyer of the Enemy,’ signify the strategic importance of nuclear-powered submarines. India is actively working on having five Arihant class boats along with six nuclear attack submarines to be built in three blocks.