India's 'Second Strike' Capability Becomes Stronger as Indian Navy Commissions (SSBN) INS Aridhaman

April 04, 2026: The Indian Navy commissioned its third nuclear submarine to its ranks, with the induction of SSBN INS Aridhaman. In a one line post on his Twitter (now X) account, the Union Defence Minister wrote - "Shabd Nahi, Shakti hai Aridaman" - 'Aridaman isn't merely a word, it is power!'

The SSBN Family in the Indian Navy

The submarine was commissioned on Friday April 3, 2026 at a ceremony presided over by the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Visakhapatnam. 'Aridhaman' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'destroyer of the enemy'. Aridhaman is the third Indian submarine in this segment, with its predecessors INS Arihant and INS Arighat boasting of similar capabilities. These submarines have been built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Visakhapatnam Ship Building centre. Aridaman weighs 7,000 tonnes while its predecessors weight 6,000 tonnes each.

Meaning of SSBN

SSBN stands for "Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear", which means 'nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine'. This submarine is designed to carry and launch ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. When there is a nuclear attack, the land based launchers and airfields are the first assets that are destroyed. Howver, SSBN submarines hide in depths where they are difficult to find. These machines can then launch nuclear weapons in retaliatory strikes any time in the event of such a nuclear attack.

Capabilities of INS Aridhaman

INS Aridhaman is equipped with:

• 8 Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes
• Ability to carry:
  • K-4 missiles (range: ~3,500 km)
  • K-15 missiles (range: ~750 km)
  • Future integration with K-5 missiles (range: ~6,500 km)

The submarine features advanced 'stealth' technology and is equipped with indigenous sonar systems like USHUS and Panchendriya, enabling silent underwater operations.

• Surface speed: 12–15 knots
• Underwater speed: ~24 knots (~44 km/h)

Continuous At-Sea Deterrance

Indian Navy has come another step closer to its goal of continuous at-sea deterrence, which means that there is always a nuclear submaring patrolling the sea. This submarine will be based at "Project Varsha", which is a high security facility situated at Visakhapatnam on the Indian east coast.

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