India Inducts SSBN INS Aridaman | 04 Apr 2026

Source: IE 

India inducted its 3rd nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridaman, marking a significant milestone where the nation will, for the 1st time, maintain 3 operational SSBNs at sea. 

• Also, India recently commissioned the stealth frigate, INS Taragiri, which will further boost the Indian Navy’s ability to secure the country’s interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 

INS Aridaman 

• About: INS Aridhaman is India’s 3rd nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) of the Arihant-class after INS Arihant (2016) and INS Arighat (2024). It has been developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. 
  • INS Arihant: Commissioned in 2016, the 6,000-tonne INS Arihant established the sea leg of India’s nuclear triad and completed its first deterrence patrol in 2018. 
  • INS Arighaat: Building on the success of INS Arihant, the 2nd SSBN, INS Arighaat, was commissioned in 2024, further stabilising India’s continuous presence in deep waters. 
• Enhanced Missile Capacity: The 7,000-tonne INS Aridaman features 8 vertical launching system tubes, allowing it to carry a larger payload of K-15 (700 km range) and K-4 (3,500 km range) Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs). 
• Nuclear Triad & 2nd-Strike Capability: The commissioning of INS Aridaman solidifies India’s nuclear triad—the ability to launch nuclear weapons from land (Agni missiles), air (Rafale, Su-30MKI), and sea—ensuring a credible 2nd-strike capability in alignment with the "No First Use" nuclear doctrine. 
• Operational Milestone: With this commissioning, India solidifies its position among a select group of nations—including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China—capable of operating an undersea nuclear deterrent. 
• Future Strategic Roadmap: India is currently constructing a 4th SSBN (codenamed S-4*, likely to enter service in 2027) and pursuing a Nuclear-powered Attack Submarine (SSN) programme, alongside Project-75I for advanced conventional submarines equipped with AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion) technology.