India is set to achieve a major strategic milestone with the expected commissioning of its third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, by April or May 2026. Built under the secretive Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, this 7,000-tonne vessel is significantly larger and more capable than its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat. Currently in the final stages of its sea trials, the submarine features eight vertical launch tubes—double the capacity of previous models—allowing it to carry up to eight long-range K-4 missiles or 24 K-15 missiles. Powered by an 83 MW pressurized water reactor, INS Aridhaman is designed for extreme stealth, utilizing advanced anechoic tiles and indigenous sonar systems to remain virtually undetectable while patrolling deep waters for months at a time.
The induction of INS Aridhaman is a critical leap for India’s nuclear triad, as it will mark the first time the Indian Navy operates three Arihant-class submarines simultaneously. This expansion is vital for maintaining “Continuous At-Sea Deterrence,” a doctrine where at least one nuclear-armed submarine is always on patrol to ensure a guaranteed second-strike capability. In a region marked by increasing maritime assertiveness, this silent underwater sentinel provides the ultimate insurance against a first-strike attack, aligning with India’s “No First Use” nuclear policy. Once commissioned, the submarine will be based at the high-security Project Varsha facility near Visakhapatnam, further solidifying India’s status among the elite group of nations capable of designing and operating a sophisticated undersea nuclear deterrent.
