India inducts third n-sub, strengthens deterrence, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• India inducted its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridaman, enhancing its sea-based nuclear deterrent.
• The INS Aridaman is indigenously designed to carry more long-range nuclear-tipped missiles than its predecessors.
• The Indian Navy also commissioned the advanced stealth frigate INS Taragiri at a separate ceremony.
• INS Aridaman is a 7,000-tonne vessel with advanced reactors, enabling longer submerged durations.
• India is one of the few countries with a nuclear triad, which includes the US, Russia, China, and France.

Detailed Insights:

• INS Aridaman's induction strengthens India's nuclear triad, ensuring a credible second-strike capability.
• The submarine can carry K-15 SLBMs with a range of 700 km and K-4 SLBMs that can hit targets 3,500 km away.
• India's nuclear doctrine stipulates a "no first use" policy, committing to nuclear weapons solely for deterrence and retaliation.
• INS Arihant, the first indigenous SSBN, was commissioned in 2016 and conducted its first deterrence patrol in 2018.
• India is also pursuing a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program, planning to build two indigenously and lease one from Russia.
• The Indian Navy has 16 conventional submarines, including Kalvari-class, Shishumar-class, and Kilo (Sindhughosh)-class submarines.
• Project-75I involves a deal between India and Germany for constructing six advanced AIP-equipped conventional submarines in India.

Key Concepts Involved:

• SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear): A nuclear-powered submarine equipped to launch ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.
• Nuclear Triad: A three-pronged military force structure consisting of land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-armed submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and strategic aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles.
• SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile): A ballistic missile that can be launched from submarines.
• Nuclear Deterrence: A military strategy under which one power uses the threat of retaliation to prevent an attack by an adversary.