Rajnath Singh hinted at the commissioning of INS Aridhaman, India’s third indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, through a brief but symbolic post on social media, calling it a “symbol of power.” Sources later confirmed that the submarine was indeed set to be formally inducted into the Indian Navy.
INS Aridhaman represents the third phase of India’s classified nuclear submarine program, following INS Arihant (commissioned in 2016) and INS Arighaat (commissioned in 2024). Its addition is expected to significantly strengthen India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence and reinforce its second-strike capability—ensuring the country can respond to a nuclear attack even after sustaining a first strike.
With a displacement of around 7,000 tonnes, Aridhaman is larger and more advanced than its predecessors. It features improved stealth characteristics and reduced acoustic signatures, making detection by adversaries more difficult. The submarine is powered by an 83 MW pressurised water reactor developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
One of its key upgrades is its missile capacity. Unlike earlier submarines, it is equipped with eight vertical launch tubes, allowing it to carry either eight K-4 missile with a range of about 3,500 km or up to 24 K-15 missile with a range of around 750 km. This expanded capability enhances India’s ability to maintain a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.
The induction of Aridhaman moves India closer to maintaining at least one nuclear-armed submarine on active patrol at all times, a critical element of credible deterrence. With a planned fleet of four such submarines, the Navy will be able to rotate vessels between patrol, maintenance, and standby roles efficiently.
At the same time, Rajnath Singh was in Visakhapatnam to commission the advanced stealth frigate INS Taragiri. This warship is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, enabling both high speed and long endurance for diverse naval operations.
INS Taragiri is equipped with modern weapon systems, including supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, and advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities. It also supports humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, making it a versatile addition to the fleet.
Together, the induction of INS Aridhaman and INS Taragiri highlights India’s growing maritime strength and its progress toward self-reliance in defence capabilities, significantly boosting the operational readiness of the Indian Navy.
