INS Arighaat Submarine

Full Specifications

INS Arighaat Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine

INS Arighaat is India’s second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and a critical component of the country’s sea-based nuclear deterrent. Designed to ensure survivable second-strike capability, the submarine represents a major milestone in India’s strategic naval modernization and undersea warfare ambitions.

Strategic Role and Origin

Built under India’s Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program, INS Arighaat belongs to the Arihant-class SSBN family and is operated by the Indian Navy’s Strategic Forces Command. Constructed by Ship Building Centre (SBC) Visakhapatnam with support from DRDO and BARC, the submarine reflects decades of indigenous nuclear submarine development.

Capabilities and Performance

INS Arighaat is powered by a pressurized light-water nuclear reactor, enabling virtually unlimited endurance constrained only by crew and supplies. Its submerged displacement exceeds 6,000 tons, allowing it to operate quietly at significant depths for extended patrols. The submarine is optimized for stealth, incorporating anechoic hull coatings, noise-dampening machinery, and reduced magnetic signatures to evade enemy detection.

Armament and Technology

The submarine is equipped with vertical launch systems capable of deploying K-15 (Sagarika) or potentially K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), providing regional to near-intercontinental strike capability. Standard torpedo tubes allow defensive and limited offensive engagements against surface and subsurface threats. Advanced sonar suites and an integrated combat management system support situational awareness in contested environments.

Operational Significance

For U.S. defense analysts, INS Arighaat is best understood as a strategic deterrence platform rather than a tactical combat submarine. Its deployment enhances India’s nuclear triad, contributing to long-term stability in the Indo-Pacific while underscoring the growing sophistication of non-Western SSBN programs.

INS Arighaat Submarine Price

INS Arighaat is a government-owned strategic military asset and is not available for commercial sale. Estimated program costs run into several billion U.S. dollars when accounting for research, infrastructure, reactor development, and missile integration.