INS Arighaat: India's New Nuclear Submarine Ups the Ante

India's INS Arighaat, equipped with longer-range missiles and advanced indigenous technologies, marks a significant leap from its predecessor, INS Arihant. Launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, this submarine bolsters India's deterrence capabilities.

By Ajit Dubey - India has significantly upgraded its naval capabilities with the introduction of the latest nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighaat. The vessel boasts longer-range missiles and a high level of indigenous content, making it a formidable successor to INS Arihant.

Commissioned in 2018, the INS Arihant was India’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. The newly launched INS Arighaat, unveiled last week by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is equipped with missiles capable of striking targets over 3,500 km away. This enhancement is expected to serve as a strong deterrent, according to sources.

While the INS Arihant’s missiles have a range of about 750 km, the Indian Navy's nuclear submarine fleet will receive a significant boost with the expected commissioning of a third vessel early next year. INS Arighaat, the second Arihant-class submarine, was formally inducted into the fleet on August 29, 2024, in Visakhapatnam.

Defence Minister Singh hailed the new submarine as a milestone in the nation's journey toward self-reliance, in line with the 'Aatmanirbharta' initiative. The submarine's construction involved advanced design and manufacturing technologies, substantial R&D efforts, and the use of specialized materials and complex engineering. Indian scientists, industry professionals, and Naval personnel collaborated to design, manufacture, and integrate the indigenous systems and equipment, making INS Arighaat more advanced than its predecessor.

The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will significantly enhance India's deterrence capabilities, ensuring national security and safeguarding the country's interests. (ANI)