India has commissioned INS Aridhaman, its third Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarine, at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The vessel represents a significant advancement in India's nuclear triad capability and underwater deterrence posture.
INS Aridhaman belongs to the Arihant class of nuclear-powered submarines and is equipped with eight vertical launch tubes capable of carrying K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometres or K-15 Sagarika missiles with a 750-kilometre range. The submarine features approximately 70% indigenous content, marking a major milestone in India's defence self-reliance programme under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The commissioning strengthens India's second-strike nuclear capability, which is considered essential for credible nuclear deterrence. With INS Aridhaman, the Indian Navy now operates three SSBNs — INS Arihant (commissioned 2016), INS Arighat (commissioned 2024), and INS Aridhaman. The submarine is designed for extended underwater patrols and ensures that India maintains a continuous at-sea deterrent.
Defence analysts note that the indigenous submarine programme demonstrates India's growing capability in complex naval engineering and nuclear propulsion technology, placing it among a select group of nations capable of building nuclear submarines.