India Commissions Second Arihant-Class Submarine 'Ins Arighaat' Boosting Nuclear Triad
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS
India on Aug. 29 commissioned its second locally built Arihant-class nuclear-armed submarine (SSBN), christened INS Arighaat, into naval service here boosting its nuclear triad capability to fire nuke-tipped ballistic missiles from underwater platforms, an important counter to a collaborative arch-rivals China and Pakistan.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed the induction of the strategically important platform that comes with advanced features that the first of the four-vessel series, INS Arihant, which was commissioned February 2016. India took nearly eight years to build the second vessel in the Arihant-class submarine that come with the capability to fire nuke-armed ballistic missiles.
Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that 'Arighaat' would further strengthen India's nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the Indo-Pacific region, and play a decisive role in India's security, an official statement from the Indian Ministry of Defence said. The statement from the Indian defence minister is a euphemism for the South Asian giant building counter capabilities against China and Pakistan.
Rajnath Singh described Arighaat as an achievement for India and a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's unwavering resolve to achieve 'Aatmanirbharta' (Self-Relance in Hindi) in the defence manufacturing sector.
The Indian minister commended the Indian Navy, DRDO, and the domestic industry for "their hard work and synergy" in achieving this capability. He termed this self-reliance as the foundation of self-power. He appreciated that the country's industrial sector, especially Micro-Small-an-Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), received a huge boost through this project, creating more employment opportunities for Indians.
Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's political will, which put India at par with a nuclear weapon state, Rajnath Singh said, "Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in today's geopolitical scenario. Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil.”
The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering, and highly skilled workmanship. It has the distinction of having indigenous systems and equipment, which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured, and integrated by the Indian scientists, industry, and naval personnel.
The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on this submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor Arihant. The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance India's capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests, as these two vessels are armed with the 750-km K15 'Sagarika' indigenous submarine-launched ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead.
(Courtesy: Defence.Capital)
