INS Arihant. (File photo)
New Delhi: The Indian Navy is set to get its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). After the indigenously built INS Arihant, which was commissioned in 2018, the second indigenously built SSBN, Arighat, is likely to be commissioned soon.
An official in the defence establishment, who did not want to be named, told reporters that Arighat, which is a 6,000-tonne SSBN, has now completed its sea trials and it will be commissioned into the Navy within a couple of months and join her sister SSBN, INS Arihant.
Arighat was built at Visakhapatnam’s Shipbuilding Centre (SBC). The project has been shrouded in secrecy and very little information about it is in public domain. According to some credible reports emerging from sources in the defence establishment, Arighat is expected to carry 12 K-15 (Sagarika) SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles), with a range of 750 kilometres (470 miles) range or 4 K-4 SLBMs, with a range of 3,500 kilometres (2,200 miles), apart from other conventional weapons, like torpedoes, etc.
Both K-15 and K-4 are nuclear-capable SLBMs.
Indigenous SSN project likely to get approval soon
Speaking to reporters, another official from the defence establishment said the approval for the project to construct indigenous nuclear-powered (general purpose) attack submarines (SSN) is expected by the end of this year. The project, named Project-77, which has been in the pipeline for several years, is anticipated to significantly enhance India’s maritime deterrence.
The official said, “By the end of the year, I think we should get the go-ahead for indigenous construction [of SSNs], as policymakers at every level have shown their inclination towards the project.”
The official further revealed that the proposed submarines will have over 90 per cent indigenous content, reflecting India’s push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
It may be noted that the initial plan under Project-77 was to build six such submarines, but this has been scaled down to two vessels for the first phase. The estimated cost for these two submarines is around ₹40,000 crore. Their construction is expected to take a decade.
The approval for the remaining four submarines will be sought at a later stage.
The urgency for this project has been underscored by the rapid expansion of the Chinese navy (People’s Liberation Army – Navy or PLA-N), which has been deploying its various assets, including attack submarines, ocean-mapping surface and underwater vessels, spy ships, etc, in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) since 2008. These deployments, initially under the guise of anti-piracy operations and scientific explorations, have allowed China to gain familiarity and confidence in the region.
The recent completion of sea trials for China’s Fujian aircraft carrier, along with its existing carriers, Shandong and Liaoning, has further heightened India’s strategic stakes in the IOR.
