Context:
• The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, informed that INS Aridhaman, India’s third nuclear-powered submarine, is in the final stages of trials and will be commissioned soon.
• The development strengthens India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, a critical pillar of the country’s nuclear triad, amid growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with China.
Key Highlights:
INS Aridhaman and Nuclear Deterrence
• INS Aridhaman is part of India’s Arihant-class SSBN programme.
• It is designed to carry longer-range K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
• Commissioning will move India closer to sustained at-sea nuclear patrols, ensuring a credible second-strike capability.
• INS Arighaat, another Arihant-class SSBN, was commissioned in August 2024.
Submarine Force Modernisation
• The Navy plans to indigenously build two SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines).
• To bridge the capability gap, one SSN will be leased from Russia, expected by 2027–28.
• Indigenous SSNs are likely to be operational by the mid-2030s.
Aircraft Carrier Capability
• The Navy Chief reiterated the need for a third aircraft carrier.
• Objective is to maintain a three-carrier force:
– One on the Eastern seaboard
– One on the Western seaboard
– One for maintenance or exigencies
• Carrier Battle Groups (CBGs) remain central to blue-water naval operations.
Operational & Strategic Posture
• Indian Navy regularly transits the South China Sea through bilateral and multilateral engagements, asserting its Indo-Pacific presence.
• During Operation Sindoori, aggressive deployment in the Arabian Sea effectively restricted the Pakistan Navy, impacting its maritime trade and economy.
• Steps are underway to induct women into the submarine arm, addressing space and habitability constraints.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• Issue: Strengthening India’s maritime nuclear deterrence and naval power projection.
• Key Platforms:
– SSBN: Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.
– SSN: Nuclear-powered attack submarine.
• Missile System: K-4 SLBM (longer range than K-15).
• Government Initiatives: Indigenous submarine construction; strategic leasing from Russia.
• Benefits:
– Credible second-strike capability.
– Enhanced deterrence against China and Pakistan.
• Challenges:
– High cost, long gestation periods, and technological complexity.
• Impact:
– Improved maritime security and strategic stability.
Relevant Mains Points:
• Facts & Provisions:
– Nuclear triad consists of land, air, and sea-based nuclear forces.
– Arihant-class SSBNs are central to India’s No First Use (NFU) posture.
• Conceptual Clarity:
– Second-strike capability ensures retaliation even after a first nuclear attack.
– Carrier Battle Groups enable sea control and power projection.
• Strategic Dimensions:
– China’s expanding naval footprint in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
– Importance of undersea dominance in modern naval warfare.
• Way Forward:
– Accelerate indigenous SSN and SSBN programmes.
– Strengthen shipbuilding ecosystem and nuclear propulsion expertise.
– Balance capital-intensive platforms with asymmetric naval capabilities.
– Promote gender inclusion through design innovation and policy support.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
• GS 3: Internal Security, Defence Technology, Strategic Capabilities
• GS 2: International Relations, Indo-Pacific Strategy, Global Security