3rd indigenous N-sub to be commissioned soon

INDIA is preparing to strengthen the naval arm of its nuclear triad, with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi announcing on Tuesday that the third indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, INS Aridaman, is in "final stages of trials" and "will be commissioned soon".

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi

The Admiral confirmed that India's underwater deterrent is set for a fresh boost, with the submarine adding a new layer to a programme that remains one of the country's most closely guarded strategic projects.

The first submarine in this line was INS Arihant, followed by INS Arighat. The SSBN programme is central to India's nuclear deterrence, which already includes proven air and land components. He told the media ahead of Navy Day that the force is focused on "boosting its overall combat prowess" as several key projects move toward completion.