All You Need to Know About the Newly Commissioned Nuclear Submarine; Arighaat

India's second nuclear submarine, the Arighaat, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Thursday at Visakhapatnam. The submarine has undergone extensive trials over the last few months. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at the commissioning ceremony that the Arihant-class submarine will "further strengthen India's nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country".

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The 6,000-tonne INS Arighaat will join its predecessor, the nuclear submarine INS Arihant, as a key component of India's nuclear triad. This triad refers to a country's ability to launch nuclear missiles from platforms in the air, land, and at sea.

India's Nuclear Triad Capabilities:

India is part of a select group of countries with nuclear triad capabilities. These include the United States, Russia, China, and France. The induction of INS Arihant into the Navy in 2016 provided India with maritime strike capability for the first time.
The commissioning of INS Arighaat will enhance the Navy's nuclear strike capability. The nuclear-capable Agni 2, Agni 4, and Agni 5 missiles can be launched from land. Fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force such as Rafales, Su-30MKIs, and Mirage 2000s can deliver nuclear warheads.

Technological Advancements:

The Arighaat is significantly more technologically advanced than the Arihant. The Ministry of Defence stated that its construction involved advanced design and manufacturing technology. Detailed research and development were undertaken along with the utilisation of special materials and complex engineering. "It has the distinction of having indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by Indian scientists, industry, and naval personnel," it said.

INS Arihant: A Brief Overview:

India's nuclear-powered submarine project began over three decades ago with assistance from private firms and Russia. The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) also played a crucial role. Launched in 2009, Arihant was commissioned into the Navy in 2016 as its first nuclear-powered submarine.
INS Arihant conducted its first deterrence patrol in 2018, thus establishing India's nuclear triad. In October 2022, the Ministry of Defence announced a successful launch "with very high accuracy" of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) by Arihant in the Bay of Bengal.

Navy's Submarine Fleet:

The Indian Navy also has 16 conventional submarines in service - seven Kilo (Sindhughosh) class, four Shishumar class, and five French Scorpène (Kalvari) class attack submarines. India procured USSR-developed diesel-electric Kilo-class submarines from the mid-1980s onward.

The Shishumar class submarines were developed by Germany's Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) yard and subsequently built in India from the 1980s onward. The Kalvari class submarines were built at India's Mazagon Dock in partnership with France's Naval Group.

Future Submarine Projects:

Two larger nuclear ballistic submarines (SSBNs), each with around 7,000 tonnes displacement are currently being built. The first was launched in 2021 and is awaiting commissioning pending trials; another is under construction as part of a separate classified project.

In comparison to other nations' fleets: The United States has 14 Ohio-class SSBNs and 53 fast-attack submarines while China has 12 nuclear submarines including six attack subs powered by nuclear reactors.

Navy's Operational Strength:

The Navy is authorised to have 18 submarines for full-spectrum operations; this milestone was achieved with INS Arighaat's commissioning. However, about 30 per cent of these vessels are usually under refit at any given time reducing operational strength.

The Navy has opted for medium refit and life certification which includes major repairs on ships extending their lifespan until new boats arrive.