INS Arighat: India's Second Nuclear-Powered Submarine Set for Commissioning in 2024

India is set to commission its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat, by the end of 2024. This milestone comes nearly seven years after the vessel was launched in Visakhapatnam in November 2017.

India is on the verge of commissioning its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat. This significant development is expected to take place by the end of 2024. INS Arighat will be formally inducted into the Indian Navy nearly seven years after it was launched in November 2017 at the Indian Navy's Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam.

The Arighat boasts impressive dimensions, with a length of 111.6 meters, a beam of 11 meters, and a draught of 9.5 meters. It has a displacement of 6,000 tonnes. The vessel is powered by an 82.5 MW pressurised light water reactor (LWR), developed with Russian assistance, enabling it to achieve a top speed of 24 knots while submerged and 10 knots on the surface.

Arighat is armed with 12 K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). These missiles, developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), have a range of over 700 kilometers. The submarine features four large vertical launch system (VLS) tubes that house these SLBMs. The K-15 Sagarika is a two-stage, solid-propellant missile with hybrid propulsion, designed to elevate the missile to an altitude of approximately 4 kilometers during its first stage.

Constructed using Russian steel equivalent to the US HY-80 grade, the Arighat is divided into seven compartments. These include sections for the propulsion and combat management systems, platform management center, and torpedo room. The submarine is also equipped with a double hull, which includes ballast tanks, two standby auxiliary engines, and a retractable thruster for emergency power and mobility.

Arighat is one of three SSBNs launched by India. The first, INS Arihant, was launched in July 2009 and commissioned in August 2016. The third vessel, yet to be named, was launched in November 2021. These submarines form a critical part of India's strategic deterrent capabilities, enhancing the country's defense readiness and maritime security.

The commissioning of INS Arighat represents a notable advancement in India's naval power, further solidifying its position as a significant player in the region's maritime security landscape.