Indian Government Launches 4th Nuclear Submarine
India has taken another significant step in strengthening its nuclear capabilities. Reports suggest that the Indian Navy has launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) off the coast of Visakhapatnam. The event took place at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, following the inauguration of the VLF (Very Low Frequency) Radar Station in Damagundam.
Earlier this year, in August, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh handed over the SSBN Arighat to the Indian Navy. Navy officials have indicated that the fourth submarine in this class, INS Aridhaman, is expected to be ready by 2025. These submarines are anticipated to play a crucial role in countering threats in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing India’s strategic naval capabilities.
For reasons of national security, nuclear submarines are typically given code names initially. In this series, INS Chakra was designated as “S1,” while Arihant is known as “S2,” Arighat as “S3,” and Aridhaman as “S4.” The recently launched submarine has been given the code name “S4*,” and it will be assigned an official name soon. Approximately 75% of this nuclear submarine has been constructed using indigenous technology.
These submarines are equipped to carry the K-4 nuclear ballistic missiles, which have a range of up to 3,500 kilometers and can be launched vertically. The first-generation SSBN submarine, INS Arihant, can carry K-15 nuclear missiles with a range of 750 kilometers. Subsequent upgraded submarines in the series are capable of carrying the longer-range K-4 missiles, enhancing India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities.
