Why in news?

India has got its second nuclear submarine with the commissioning of INS Arighaat into the Navy. INS Arighaat will join its predecessor INS Arihant strengthening the country’s nuclear triad — the ability to fire nuclear missiles from platforms in the air, land and sea.

What’s in today’s article?

• INS Arihant
• 2nd nuclear missile submarine INS Arighaat

INS Arihant

• About
  • INS Arihant, a 6,000-tonne submarine is the lead ship of India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.
    • Under the Rs 90,000 crore top secret ATV project, India is currently building three more SSBNs to follow INS Arihant.
    • The second such submarine, INS Arighat commissioned recently.
    • The vessel will be followed by two 7,000-tonne SSBNs under the ATV project.
    • There is also plan to build 13,500-tonne SSBNs with more powerful 190MW reactors.
  • It is India's first indigenous nuclear submarine that has been inducted in the Indian Navy.
  • Launched in 2009, INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016.
• Features
  • Power source
    • It is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core with enriched uranium fuel.
  • Builder
    • Shipbuilding Centre (SBC), Visakhapatnam. It’s India’s first indigenously built nuclear submarine.
    • Its design is based on the Russian Akula-1 class submarines and its 83mw pressurised water reactor has been built with significant Russian assistance.
  • SSBN
    • It is a ‘Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear Submarine’ (SSBN).
    • SSBN's are that class of submarines which can go deep beneath the ocean making them virtually undetectable for months, they also carry nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.
  • Armament
    • It is capable of carrying ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.
    • It is armed with the K-15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750 km.
    • Later, it will also be armed with K-4 missiles, being developed by the DRDO, which are capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 3,500 km.
      • These 'K' series of missiles are named after former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
• Significance
  • Nuclear triad
    • With INS Arihant, India completed its ‘nuclear triad’.
    • i.e., India can launch nuclear missile from all three key defence bastions — land, air and sea.
    • Triad is important because in an enemy strike, even if the other wings are destroyed, the third can launch a retaliatory strike thus providing a guaranteed ‘second strike’ capability to the country.
  • 
  • Stealth capability
    • Due to satellites, other legs of our nuclear triad (missile sites and air-bases) remain exposed to enemy attack.
    • However, being a SSBN, it can stay deep inside the ocean making them virtually undetectable for months.
  • Part of Elite club
    • INS Arihant places India in the league of select group of five Countries — US, Russia, France, UK and China — which can design, construct and operate Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarines.
  • Credible minimum deterrence:
    • While India remains committed to the doctrine of Credible Minimum Deterrence and No First Use,” the success of INS Arihant gives a fitting response to those who indulge in Nuclear Blackmail.
  • Maritime security
    • INS Arihant will strengthen India’s position in the Indian Ocean region where it has to face challenges from Chinese submarines.
  • Boost to defence manufacturing
    • The Arihant is a live manifestation of Government’s Make in India vision.

2nd nuclear missile submarine INS Arighaat

• About the news
  • India got its second nuclear submarine with the commissioning of INS Arighaat into the Navy, a move that will significantly boost the country’s deterrence capability.
  • The discreet commissioning ceremony of the Arihant-class vessel in Visakhapatnam was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• Features
  • The 6,000-tonne nuclear-propelled submarine will be armed with indigenously made K-15 missiles which have a range of over 700 km.
  • Like INS Arihant, it is powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water reactors which allows it to remain submerged for longer periods when compared to conventional submarines.
  • The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests.