India is set to strengthen its maritime and strategic defence capabilities with the imminent induction of its third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh indicates that the submarine is ready for commissioning after completing its final sea trials.

In a post on social media platform X, the minister wrote, “Not words, but power, ‘Aridaman’,” hinting at the upcoming induction of the advanced submarine into the Strategic Forces Command.

INS Aridhaman is considered a significant upgrade over its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighat. With an approximate displacement of 7,000 tonnes, the submarine features an improved streamlined design, enabling stealth operations and enhanced underwater endurance. It is powered by an 83-megawatt pressurised water reactor developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

The submarine’s key strength lies in its missile capabilities. It is equipped with eight vertical launch tubes, allowing it to carry either eight K-4 ballistic missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometres or up to 24 K-15 missiles with a range of 750 kilometres, substantially enhancing India’s strategic reach.

The induction of INS Aridhaman will play a crucial role in reinforcing India’s ‘second strike’ capability, a key element of its nuclear doctrine. This ensures that even in the event of an attack on land-based or air-based nuclear assets, India retains the ability to launch a retaliatory strike from concealed positions at sea.

The development aligns with India’s ‘No First Use’ policy, strengthening deterrence while maintaining defensive posture.

The announcement came during Rajnath Singh’s visit to Visakhapatnam, a major naval hub and home to India’s nuclear submarine fleet. During the visit, he is also set to induct the indigenously built stealth frigate Taragiri into the Indian Navy. The warship is equipped with modern weapon systems, including supersonic missiles and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The induction of advanced platforms like INS Aridhaman and Taragiri highlights India’s growing focus on indigenous defence manufacturing and its expanding naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.