INS Arighaat - Current Affairs UPSC

Recently, India has commissioned the INS Arighaat or S-3, its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), into service at Visakhapatnam.

The new submarine, named INS Arighaat, takes its name from the ancient Sanskrit word “Arighaat” meaning “destroyer of enemies.”
This name reflects India’s dedication to protecting its maritime interests with strong deterrence.
It is the second submarine of the Arihant-class, following the INS Arihant.
It has been under construction at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam since 2017.

The submarine is powered by 83 MW pressurized light-water reactors, allowing it to stay underwater for months.
It displaces 6,000 tonnes and is 112 meters long.
It can travel at a maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.
It features a double hull with ballast tanks, two standby auxiliary engines, and a retractable thruster for emergency power and mobility.

It can, like the INS Arihant, carry up to four nuclear-capable SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with a range over 3,500 kilometers, or 12 K-15 SLBMs with a range of about 750 kilometers.
The K-15 missiles can be equipped with a strategic nuclear warhead.
The submarine will also be armed with torpedoes.
Although the INS Arighaat is the same size, length, and displacement as the INS Arihant, it can carry more K-15 missiles and is considered more capable, efficient, and stealthy.

India’s nuclear-powered submarine project began over 30 years ago with the involvement of private firms, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), and support from Russia.
The first submarine, INS Arihant, was launched in 2009 and commissioned into the Navy in 2016. In 2018, INS Arihant completed its first deterrence patrol, establishing India’s nuclear triad.
In October 2022, it successfully and accurately launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in the Bay of Bengal.

India plans to build two additional SSBNs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile submarines), each with a displacement of 7,000 tonnes.
The third submarine, INS Aridaman (S4), is expected to be commissioned next year, followed by a fourth SSBN codenamed S-4.
The Indian Navy has 16 conventional submarines, including: Seven Kilo (Sindhughosh) class submarines, Four Shishumar class submarines and Five Kalvari class submarines.

Boost to India’s Naval Power: It enhances India’s naval strength with two nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo-Pacific, providing strategic leverage and deterring nations like China.
Operational Flexibility and Regional Security: It can perform diverse missions such as anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering, boosting India’s maritime awareness and response capabilities
Strategic Importance: INS Arighaat positions India among the elite group of nations with nuclear-powered submarines, including the US, Russia, the UK, France, and China.