India has added a second homegrown ballistic missile submarine to its fleet in the latest expansion of its nuclear deterrence.
The nuclear-powered INS Arighaat follows the INS Arihant, which was commissioned in 2016.
The Arighaat “will further strengthen India’s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said during Thursday’s commissioning ceremony in the state of Andhra Pradesh, according to a Defence Ministry readout.
“Arighaat” is a Sanskrit term that means “destroyer of enemies.” The 6,000-tonne submarine is equipped with ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads with an estimated range of 750 kilometers.
Singh made a veiled reference to China’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region. India and China have been locked in a years-long standoff along their disputed Himalayan border.
“It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defense, especially in today’s geopolitical scenario,” Singh said. “Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military.”
In 2003, India released its official nuclear doctrine, which included a “no first use” policy. The world’s most populous nation has ramped up defense spending in recent years.
“Nuclear ballistic missile submarines are important deterrence assets, offering India a reliable second-strike capability in the event of a nuclear first strike by an adversary,” said Abhijit Singh, senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank.
India is on track to commission a third nuclear submarine — the 7,000-tonne INS Aridhaman — next year. That is expected to carry ballistic missiles with a 3,500-km range.
“Given that India positions itself as a net security provider to the Indian Ocean Region and depends on global maritime commerce for its energy requirements, securing the maritime area in the Indian Ocean is vital to India’s strategic interests and energy security,” said Tuneer Mukherjee, a maritime security analyst.
