Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned India’s second Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarine, INS Arighaat, at the secretive Ship Building Center (SBC) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) here on August 29 (Thursday).
It was commissioned in the presence of top defense, national security and military officials.
In his speech, Mr. Singh expressed his belief that INS Arighaat will further strengthen India’s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help create strategic balance and peace in the region, and play an important role in national security.
He described it as an achievement for the nation and a testament to the unwavering determination of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to achieve Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defense sector.
Mr. Rajnath Singh praised the Indian Navy, DRDO and industry for their hard work and synergy to achieve this capability. He cites this independence as the basis for his own power. He appreciated the fact that the country’s industrial sector, especially MSMEs, is getting a big boost through this project, and more job opportunities.
Recalling the political will of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who equated India to a nuclear weapon state, the Defense Minister said, “Today, India is progressing to become a developed country. It is important for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defense, especially in the scenario geopolitics today.Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military.Our government is working in mission mode to ensure that our soldiers have the best weapons and platforms made on Indian soil.
INS Arighaat, meaning ‘enemy destroyer’, with flag number S3, is the second in its class after INS Arihant, which was commissioned in August 2016. It enhances India’s nuclear triad capabilities and deterrent power in all three sectors such as land. , sea and air.
Mr. Rajnath Singh arrived after noon and spent a few hours in Visakhapatnam. After that, he left for Thiruvananthapuram from INS Dega.
INS Arighaat is said to be similar to INS Arihant, but has better capabilities. It is about 112 meters long and weighs about 6,000 tons.
The 83 MW pressurized light water nuclear reactor, mounted in the hull, can power the submarine to about 12 to 15 knots on the surface and up to 20 to 24 knots when submerged. They can carry around 10 to 12 K-15 nuclear submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and like the INS Arihant are equipped with four vertical launch tubes to launch the missiles. The missile has a range of about 750 km. Sources said that INS Arighaat is more advanced than its predecessor INS Arihant, as it is equipped with latest sensors, advanced periscope and other advanced equipment.
Great block
As a former naval submarine, nuclear-powered submarines can be a huge deterrent to hostile nations, so India maintains a ‘no first use policy’.
Nuclear powered submarines are more stealthy and run deeper and quieter. They do not need to surface or snorkel for oxygen to charge the battery for a month.
Commodore (Retd.) Uday Bhaskar, a defense analyst, pointed out that a nuclear submarine fleet consisting of SSBNs increases the ‘second strike’ capability of any country, in this case India.
India has been a signatory to the ‘no first strike’ policy, when it comes to nuclear war, and its strategic underwater assets increase the potential for a second strike. Even if our nuclear launch pads or land-based silos are hit, we always have the potential to launch a second strike from these underwater platforms, as they are generally known to be undetectable.
far away
India is the sixth country after the US, Russia, France, UK and China to have a fleet of nuclear submarines.
Compared to other five countries, for India it is very far. China has about six SSBNs and six SSN (submersible ship nuclear) or fast attack nuclear submarines, which are called ‘hunter killers’. Although the SSN is nuclear powered, it does not carry a nuclear arsenal, but instead carries torpedoes to hunt down enemy battleships and SSBNs.
On the other hand, the US navy has more than 50 SSNs, 18 SSBNs (including 4 SSGNs capable of launching cruise missiles) and Russia has around 16 SSBNs, 14 SSNs and 11 SSGNs.
India plans to strengthen its nuclear fleet with at least four SSBNs on Advanced Technology Vessels (ATVs), at a budget cost of around ₹90,000 crore.
Two are ready and the third nuclear-powered submarine, INS Aridhaman (S4), which is said to be bigger, more sophisticated and weighs about 7,000 tons, is almost ready and nearing sea trials.
The fourth, which has yet to be named, is said to be similar to the S4 and is under construction. This submarine will have more vertical tubes, up to eight, and can carry ballistic missiles with a range of more than 3,000 km.
