ET BureauNew Delhi: India on Friday inducted its third nuclear-powered submarine, INS Aridaman, at a ceremony in Visakhapatnam presided over by defence minister Rajnath Singh. The indigenously designed and manufactured submarine is the largest of its kind in service with the country and is armed with nuclear-tipped missiles, strengthening the nuclear triad, or the ability to carry out a nuclear retaliatory strike by land, sea or air.
The commissioning was carried out at the Ship Building Centre by Singh, who also inducted an Indian manufactured stealth frigate, INS Taragiri, at a separate ceremony in Visakhapatnam.Also Read: 'Taragiri' warship joins Navy fleet with BrahMos strike capability
The Aridaman adds to India's ship submersible ballistic nuclear (SSBN) fleet - nuclear-powered submarines that are capable of staying underwater for long periods and launching nuclear-tipped long-range missiles.
The capability is a vital part of the nuclear triad as SSBNs are hard to detect, can be deployed anywhere around the world and are designed for the specific task of a second strike - launching nuclear weapons in retaliation to a nuclear attack on domestic soil.
The minister acknowledged the commissioning of the submarine in a post on social media platform X and in the separate ceremony to induct INS Taragiri, saying that a strong Navy is vital to safeguard the nation's interests.
"The vast expanse of the ocean contains numerous sensitive points, where our Navy has consistently maintained an active presence to ensure the smooth flow of goods. Whenever tensions flare, the Indian Navy steps in to guarantee the security of commercial vessels and oil tankers," Singh said.
In August 2024, Singh had commissioned INS Arighaat, India's second SSBN. The Aridaman is larger than its predecessors and is equipped with longer range missiles, according to people in the know. It is also equipped to carry a higher number of nuclear-tipped weapons.
The submarine has indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by Indian scientists, industry and naval personnel. Work has also been initiated on the next major nuclear submarine project for SSNs. It will consist of nuclear attack submarines, which are nuclear-powered but conventionally armed to take on enemy shipping. A US Navy SSN was used to carry out the deadly attack on Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena off the Sri Lankan coast last month.
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The commissioning was carried out at the Ship Building Centre by Singh, who also inducted an Indian manufactured stealth frigate, INS Taragiri, at a separate ceremony in Visakhapatnam.Also Read: 'Taragiri' warship joins Navy fleet with BrahMos strike capability
The Aridaman adds to India's ship submersible ballistic nuclear (SSBN) fleet - nuclear-powered submarines that are capable of staying underwater for long periods and launching nuclear-tipped long-range missiles.
The capability is a vital part of the nuclear triad as SSBNs are hard to detect, can be deployed anywhere around the world and are designed for the specific task of a second strike - launching nuclear weapons in retaliation to a nuclear attack on domestic soil.
The minister acknowledged the commissioning of the submarine in a post on social media platform X and in the separate ceremony to induct INS Taragiri, saying that a strong Navy is vital to safeguard the nation's interests.
"The vast expanse of the ocean contains numerous sensitive points, where our Navy has consistently maintained an active presence to ensure the smooth flow of goods. Whenever tensions flare, the Indian Navy steps in to guarantee the security of commercial vessels and oil tankers," Singh said.
In August 2024, Singh had commissioned INS Arighaat, India's second SSBN. The Aridaman is larger than its predecessors and is equipped with longer range missiles, according to people in the know. It is also equipped to carry a higher number of nuclear-tipped weapons.
The submarine has indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by Indian scientists, industry and naval personnel. Work has also been initiated on the next major nuclear submarine project for SSNs. It will consist of nuclear attack submarines, which are nuclear-powered but conventionally armed to take on enemy shipping. A US Navy SSN was used to carry out the deadly attack on Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena off the Sri Lankan coast last month.
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