Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi during his annual news conference.
New Delhi: The Indian Navy chief, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, on Monday underscored the transformative potential of India’s nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) project, describing it as a critical step in bolstering the nation’s defence ecosystem. Speaking at the annual Navy Day news conference in the capital, he elaborated on the programme’s strategic and industrial significance.
Adm Tripathi announced that the government has approved the construction of two SSNs, marking a milestone in India’s defence capability. The first submarine is expected to be delivered by 2036, with the second to follow within two years. He emphasized that these submarines will be entirely indigenously designed, reflecting a leap in domestic technological capabilities.
“This programme will galvanise the defence ecosystem, offering opportunities for the Indian industry and advancing our self-reliance,” Adm Tripathi said. He added that the SSNs would significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to safeguard national interests and project power in an increasingly contested maritime domain.
The Navy chief also highlighted India’s progress in nuclear deterrence with the induction of the INS Arighaat (also spelled as Arighat), the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), currently undergoing trials. Its predecessor, INS Arihant, has already completed multiple deterrence patrols, cementing India’s second-strike capability.
Adm Tripathi expressed concerns over growing maritime activities by China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region. He stated that India’s evolving submarine fleet would serve as a crucial counterbalance to these challenges. Pakistan’s naval expansion, supported by China, includes the acquisition of eight advanced submarines, raising regional tensions.
On the modernization front, Adm Tripathi noted that 62 ships and a submarine are currently under construction in Indian shipyards, with a ship set to be inducted into the Navy every month for the next year. These developments align with India’s vision of becoming a maritime power by 2047.
This ambitious SSN programme, he concluded, symbolizes a strategic shift towards self-reliance and resilience amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.
