New Delhi: In a major step in strengthening its defence capabilities, India launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) this week at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. This move is seen as a significant boost to the country’s nuclear deterrence strategy, enhancing its ability to protect against potential threats.
The new submarine, codenamed S4, was launched on October 16, following the inauguration of a very low frequency naval station by defence minister Rajnath Singh in Telangana, which is meant to improve communication with India’s naval strategic assets. The S4 is equipped with K-4 ballistic missiles, which have a range of 3,500 km, allowing it to strike distant targets with precision.
Features of S4
This submarine launch came shortly after the commissioning of the second SSBN, INS Arighat, on August 29. The third SSBN, INS Aridhaman, is expected to be commissioned next year, further bolstering India’s nuclear capabilities.
India’s first SSBN, INS Arihant, is already operational and carries shorter-range K-15 nuclear missiles with a range of 750 km. However, the new submarines, including S4, will be equipped with the more powerful K-4 missiles.
India’s SSBNs have the advantage of being able to stay underwater for extended periods, with the only limits to their operation being crew fatigue, food supplies, and maintenance. This allows them to patrol deep seas and remain undetected, providing a strong deterrent against adversaries such as China.
As Chinese long-range missiles, like Dong Feng-21 and Dong Feng-26, pose increasing threats to surface ships, India has shifted its focus to building nuclear submarines over a third aircraft carrier.
INS Vagsheer likely to be commissioned in December
On October 9, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the construction of two more nuclear-powered attack submarines, aiming to expand India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region. India is also set to lease a Russian Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine by 2028.
In addition to SSBNs, India is also progressing with the development of conventional diesel-electric submarines. The sixth submarine in the Kalvari-class, INS Vagsheer, is expected to be commissioned in December this year. Furthermore, plans are underway to build three advanced diesel attack submarines in collaboration with the French Naval Group to strengthen India’s defence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where Chinese warships are increasingly patrolling.
