INS ARIGHAT

Source: TimesofIndia

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Context

• India is now all set to commission its second nuclear-powered submarine armed with nuclear missiles for strategic deterrence amid China’s fast-expanding naval footprint in the Indian Ocean Region.

Details

• INS Arighat is India's second indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), following the successful commissioning of INS Arihant.
• It is a critical component of India's strategic nuclear deterrence capability, aimed at enhancing the country's second-strike capability in the event of a nuclear conflict.
• Once commissioned, it will join INS Arihant as part of India's strategic forces, contributing to the country's nuclear triad (land-based missiles, airborne nuclear weapons, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles).

Development and Construction

• INS Arighat was developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project and was constructed at the Shipbuilding Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam.
• The submarine is an upgraded variant of INS Arihant, with enhanced capabilities in terms of stealth, endurance, and firepower.

Specifications

• Displacement:Approximately 6,000-7,000 tonnes
• Length:Over 110 meters
• Propulsion:Pressurized water reactor (PWR), which allows for virtually unlimited underwater endurance
• Armament:
  • • Ballistic Missiles: Capable of carrying K-15 SLBMs (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles) with a range of around 750 km, and potentially K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 km.
    • Torpedoes: Equipped with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles for self-defense.

Capabilities

• INS Arighat is designed to operate in deep waters and maintain high levels of stealth, making it difficult to detect by enemy submarines or anti-submarine warfare assets.
• Its nuclear propulsion provides it with the ability to remain submerged for extended periods, thereby enhancing its survivability and effectiveness as a strategic deterrent.

K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM)

• The K-4 missile is a crucial component of India's strategic deterrence capability, designed for deployment on the Indian Navy's nuclear-powered submarines.
• It is part of the larger K-series of missiles, which includes other submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
• Type: Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM)
• Range: Approximately 3,500 kilometers
• Development: Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
• Purpose: To provide second-strike capability, which is a key element of India's nuclear triad.
• Propulsion: Two-stage solid-fuel rocket, enhancing its range and speed.
• Accuracy: High accuracy due to its inertial guidance system with additional inputs from satellite navigation systems.

Design and Development

• Origins: The K-4 missile is part of India's "K Missile Family," named after Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India and a prominent figure in the Indian missile program.
• Development History: The K-4 project is known for its high level of secrecy. Development began in the 1990s, and the first successful test was conducted in 2014.

SSBNs in India

• SSBNs are nuclear-powered submarines equipped with ballistic missiles. They form a crucial part of a nation's nuclear triad, ensuring a second-strike capability.
• Role in India's Defense Strategy: SSBNs provide India with a credible and survivable nuclear deterrent, capable of launching nuclear missiles from underwater, ensuring a secure second-strike capability.

Arihant-Class Submarines

• The Arihant class is India's first indigenous class of SSBNs, developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.
• Development: The lead vessel, INS Arihant, was developed with assistance from Russia and has been operational since 2016.
• Specifications:
  • • Displacement: Around 6,000-7,000 tonnes.
    • Propulsion: Powered by a pressurized water reactor developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
    • Armament: Equipped with K-15 (Sagarika) and K-4 ballistic missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Future Developments

• INS Aridhaman (S4) and S4:
  • • Status: Launched in November 2021, these are advanced versions of the Arihant-class submarines with greater displacement and missile capacity.
    • Specifications: Designed to carry 8 K-4 or K-5 missiles, making them significantly more capable.
• S5 Class (Arihant Follow-On):
  • • Future SSBNs: Plans are underway for the S5 class, which will be larger and more advanced than the Arihant class, with up to 12 missile launch tubes.
    • Expected Commissioning: Likely to be operational in the early 2030s.

SSBNs (Ballistic Missile Submarines) Worldwide

Must read article:

INS Arihant

Nuclear Triad

Sources:

TimesofIndia