INS Aridhaman Commissioned: India’s 3rd Nuclear Submarine Boosts Defence Power

The commissioning of INS Aridhaman into the Indian Navy has been a big step towards enhancing the strategic defence capability of India. Being the third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in the country, INS Aridhaman contributes greatly to the second-strike capability of India and makes it one of the select few countries with a developed nuclear deterrence system. This milestone was developed under India's Indigenous Nuclear Submarine Program, highlighting the country's increasing technological proficiency and investment in national security. Additionally, the maritime component of the Indian Nuclear Triad has been enhanced.

Key Features & Strategic Importance of INS Aridhaman

• The third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine is INS Aridhaman, which enhances the country's defence capabilities in terms of underwater defence and long-term strategic preparedness.

• It enhances the maritime component of the Nuclear Triad, which guarantees a believable and survivable nuclear retaliation.

• The submarine increases the second-strike capability of India, which will enable it to respond safely to any attack by the United States of America, even after a nuclear attack.

• It is developed with high-level stealth capabilities and would have a low acoustic signature, which would be very difficult to detect by enemy sonar systems.

• It has a nuclear reactor, which allows it to stay submerged for long periods of time, thus enabling long-range and continuous patrol missions.

• It is also fitted with submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which have greatly increased the strategic strike capability of India.

• It is the result of developing under the domestic Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme in India, which indicates an increase in self-reliance in defence production.

• The submarine is very flexible in its operations, as it can deploy to large areas of the ocean, such as the Indo-Pacific.

• It improves the general strength and deterrence power of the Indian Navy during contemporary naval war.

• It increases the geopolitical status of India by placing it among the few countries having advanced nuclear submarines.

MCQs on Indian Submarine Chronology

1. India’s first indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine is:
A) INS Arighat
B) INS Chakra
C) INS Arihant
D) INS Aridhaman
Answer: C) INS Arihant
Explanation: INS Arihant is India’s first indigenously built SSBN, commissioned in 2016, thereby completing the nuclear triad.

2. INS Arihant was commissioned into the Indian Navy in which year?
A) 2014
B) 2015
C) 2016
D) 2017
Answer: C) 2016
Explanation: INS Arihant was officially commissioned in August 2016, marking a major milestone in India’s defence capability.

3. Which is the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine of India?
A) INS Chakra
B) INS Arighat
C) INS Aridhaman
D) INS Kalvari
Answer: B) INS Arighat
Explanation: INS Arighat is the second SSBN, launched in 2017 and part of the Arihant-class program.

4. INS Aridhaman is classified as which type of submarine?
A) Diesel-electric submarine
B) Attack submarine
C) Ballistic missile submarine
D) Patrol submarine
Answer: C) Ballistic missile submarine
Explanation: INS Aridhaman is an SSBN, designed to carry nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

5. INS Chakra, leased by India, belongs to which country?
A) USA
B) France
C) Russia
D) UK
Answer: C) Russia
Explanation: INS Chakra is a nuclear-powered attack submarine leased from Russia and belongs to the Akula class.

6. INS Kalvari belongs to which class of submarines?
A) Arihant Class
B) Scorpene Class
C) Akula Class
D) Kilo Class
Answer: B) Scorpene Class
Explanation: INS Kalvari is the first submarine of the Scorpene (Kalvari) class, inducted in 2017.

7. India’s nuclear submarine development program is known as:
A) Project Seabird
B) ATV Program
C) Mission Sagar
D) Project Varsha
Answer: B) ATV Program
Explanation: The Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program is responsible for developing India’s nuclear submarines.

8. Which submarine is associated with completing India’s nuclear triad?
A) INS Chakra
B) INS Arihant
C) INS Kalvari
D) INS Sindhughosh
Answer: B) INS Arihant
Explanation: INS Arihant enabled India to achieve a credible nuclear triad with land, air, and sea-based capabilities.

9. INS Kalvari was commissioned in which year?
A) 2015
B) 2016
C) 2017
D) 2018
Answer: C) 2017
Explanation: INS Kalvari was commissioned in December 2017 as part of India’s modern diesel-electric submarine fleet.

10. Which of the following submarines is diesel-electric powered?
A) INS Arihant
B) INS Arighat
C) INS Chakra
D) INS Kalvari
Answer: D) INS Kalvari
Explanation: INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric submarine, unlike the Arihant class and Chakra, which are nuclear-powered.

Conclusion - INS Aridhaman

The launching of INS Arihant is a major move towards enhancing the maritime defence of India as well as nuclear deterrence. It makes the Nuclear Triad of the country more credible, as it provides a second-strike capability. It is an Indian Navy unit and is indicative of the increasing self-sufficiency of India in sophisticated defence technology, and enhances its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, which strengthens national security and world image.