India is on the cusp of a significant strategic advancement with the impending commissioning of its third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi confirmed that the vessel is progressing rapidly towards joining the fleet. This milestone follows the recent commissioning of INS Arighaat, the second SSBN, in August, marking a crucial step in bolstering India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence. The addition of INS Aridhaman will officially establish India’s first-ever fleet of three operational ballistic missile submarines at sea, significantly enhancing the nation’s nuclear triad capabilities.
Part of the highly classified Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, initiated in the 1990s with an investment exceeding ₹90,000 crore, INS Aridhaman represents a leap in indigenous submarine technology. Currently undergoing advanced sea trials, this new SSBN is noted to be larger and more sophisticated than its predecessors. Its increased displacement, estimated at 7,000 tonnes, allows for a greater carrying capacity of long-range K-4 nuclear-tipped missiles. This enhanced payload capacity is vital for widening India’s strike options and improving the survivability of its deterrent force, aligning with the country’s ‘No First Use’ nuclear policy. Furthermore, plans are already in motion for a fourth SSBN, which will further expand India’s strategic reach in the coming years.
While INS Aridhaman underscores India’s growing self-reliance in defense, its SSBN fleet remains smaller compared to global powers. China operates at least six larger Jin-class SSBNs, and the United States maintains a formidable fleet of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs. The continuous induction of advanced indigenous platforms like INS Aridhaman demonstrates India’s commitment to maintaining a credible minimum nuclear deterrent essential for strategic stability in the dynamic Indo-Pacific region.