INS Aridhaman set to be formally commissioned this year

India is set to formally commission its third indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, in 2025.
This will upgrade its sea-based nuclear deterrence capabilities to 24×7. This 3rd SSBN will follow the induction of INS Arighaat in August 2024 and thus strengthening India’s nuclear triad—the ability to launch nuclear strikes from land, air, and sea.
The submarine is a stretched variant of the Arihant-class SSBNs, with a displacement of 7,000 tons (compared to 6,000 tons for earlier models) and a length of 125 meters.
This allows it to carry more K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which have a strike range of 4000 km.
INS Aridhaman incorporates significant internal engineering upgrades over its predecessors, including improved stealth, survivability, and endurance for prolonged submerged patrols.
As part of India’s nuclear triad, SSBNs like Aridhaman ensure a secure second-strike capability, deterring adversaries from initiating a nuclear first strike.
The commissioning of INS Aridhaman comes amid India’s ongoing efforts to increase its sea based deterrence. Though smaller than those of the U.S., Russia, or China, in size, it provides a credible deterrent in the Indo-Pacific region.
Recent tests of the K-4 missile from INS Arighaat (November 2024) further validated the operational readiness of India’s sea-based nuclear arsenal.
India is building two larger SSBNs (13,500 tonnes) with advanced reactors and longer-range missiles.
Additionally, a ₹40,000 crore project to construct two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) is under consideration, aiming to bolster conventional warfare capabilities.
By 2035, with the present constructions, Navy should be having 5 x SSBNs and 2 x SSGNs. Whereas a second line is required to provide the Navy with minimum of 12 x SSGNs and 6 x SSBNs at the earliest.