India to induct INS Aridhaman, third indigenous nuclear submarine, soon: Navy chief – Firstpost

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi has said that India will soon induct its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman. The submarine, India’s third indigenously built nuclear-powered platform, is nearing commissioning and has entered the final phase of its trials.

This follows the formal commissioning of the second SSBN, INS Arighaat, into the Strategic Forces Command in Visakhapatnam in August, strengthening India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent.

With INS Aridhaman joining service, India will, for the first time, have three operational ballistic missile submarines at sea.

Enhanced capability and expanded deterrent

The upcoming SSBN, now in advanced trials, is built to carry more long-range nuclear-tipped missiles than INS Arihant and INS Arighaat. Its larger configuration increases strike reach and enhances survivability, key elements of India’s nuclear doctrine.

A fourth SSBN is also under construction and will add further depth to India’s deterrent capability. Both upcoming submarines are designed to accommodate additional K-4 missiles due to their larger build, according to an earlier Times of India report.

Navy chief highlights new initiatives

Admiral Tripathi also spoke about the Navy’s recent initiatives. “I also want to highlight three maiden initiatives in the last year… Indian Ocean Ship Sagar was a maiden initiative by the Navy wherein INS Sunayna IOS SAGAR was flagged off on the 5th of April from Karwar by our defence minister and embarked 44 crews from nine IOR nations’ navies and Coast Guard and stayed for over a month, visiting five ports and drew great appreciation from all the participating countries as also whenever she made a port call. All that is there in the open domain,” Admiral Tripathi said.

“The second initiative we did was Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement, which also means unity in Sanskrit. where we partnered with 9 African countries and assembled in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Our defence minister was present there along with the defence minister of Tanzania, and we had great camaraderie and an exchange of best practices among 9 African countries,” he added.

Four Rafale jets expected by 2029

Admiral Tripathi said the Navy expects to receive its first batch of four Rafale fighter jets by 2029. He added that Project 75 India, which involves the procurement of six advanced submarines, has made significant progress and a formal agreement is likely soon.

Operation Sindoor: posture that deterred Pakistan

Speaking about Operation Sindoor, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy’s firm stance and deployment of key warships kept Pakistan’s vessels close to their ports.

“The aggressive posturing and immediate action during Op Sindoor, of deployment of the carrier battle group forced the Pakistan Navy to remain close to their ports or near the Makran coast,” he said.