INS Arighat, India's second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine SSBN (Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear), is likely to be commissioned on Thursday (August 29). Also known as S-3, INS Arighat is an upgraded version of India's first SSBN--INS Arihant. The commissioning of the new SSBN is seen as a significant advancement in India's naval capabilities, particularly concerning its strategic nuclear deterrence.
The submarine will be commissioned by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of top naval officials at a quiet event in Visakhapatnam, Hindustan Times reported quoting people aware of the matter. As per defence sources, preparations for the commissioning ceremony are in their final stages.
About INS Arighat
The submarine is the second boat of the Arihant class indigenous nuclear submarines and will be supporting the existing INS Arihant which was inducted in 2009, according to a news agency ANI. It is part of a four-SSBN project, with two others-- currently designated as S4 and S4-- also under construction.
As per the HT report, INS Arighat can reach a maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged. INS Arighat, like INS Arihant, features four launch tubes in its hump and can carry up to four nuclear-capable K-4 SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometres, or twelve K-15 SLBMs with a range of around 750 kilometres.
INS Arighat, which has been under construction and testing since its launch in 2017 at Visakhapatnam's Ship Building Centre (SBC), will also be armed with torpedoes.
Name Arihant And Navy's Future Plans
The nuclear-powered ballistic submarines have been named the Arihant class which is a Sanskrit word meaning the 'Destroyer of the Enemy'.The name befits the strategic significance of a nuclear-powered submarine, as per the ANI report.
Among the many options considered, the name 'Arihant' was selected and approved at all levels because of its subtlety and appropriateness in conveying the resolve. India is working on having five Arihant class boats along with the six nuclear attack submarines to be built in three blocks.
The Indian Nav prepares to induct the third boat shortly with two more set to be ready by the year 2035-36. The government has been planning to build both nuclear and conventional boats for its long-term submarine acquisition and capability development plan.
In the conventional arena, the Indian Navy has already got six new Kalvari class boats and will get 15 more new boats in Project 75 India, Project-76 and Project-75 AS.