India’s recent addition of its second nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arighaat, marks a significant development in the country’s defense strategy.
The government views this move as essential to strengthening its nuclear deterrent, especially as tensions with both China and Pakistan remain high. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the submarine’s role in maintaining strategic balance in the region during its commissioning ceremony at the Visakhapatnam naval base.
However, despite this advancement, India is still behind China in terms of overall military capabilities, particularly with China’s naval strength, which includes six Jin-class nuclear-powered submarines that surpass India’s missile range and firepower.
While India’s K-15 Sagarika missiles, housed in the Arighaat and its predecessor, INS Arihant, provide significant defense capabilities, their shorter range limits their reach in comparison to China’s submarines, which can strike targets up to 8,000 kilometers away.
India is focusing on developing its second-strike capability, a crucial component of its broader nuclear deterrence strategy, especially given the increased military activity along the Sino-Indian border.
While the Indian government has remained discreet about the Arighaat’s full capabilities, naval analysts believe India is on a path toward building a formidable naval nuclear force. Plans for larger submarines with longer-range missiles are underway, aiming to allow India to effectively target both China and Pakistan. However, this development will take time, with projections suggesting the next ballistic missile submarines may not be operational until 2030.
Despite these challenges, the commissioning of the Arighaat represents a critical step in India’s efforts to achieve parity with China’s growing military power and secure its position in the Indian Ocean region.
Peoplesmind
