An Effective Sea-Based Deterrent For India

- Sanjay Badri-Maharaj

In 2009, the INS Arihant – the lead vessel of a class of at least three ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) was launched. The vessel is still undergoing evaluation and sea trials, although reports had emerged of its commissioning in August 2016, an ambitious attempt to give India an operational and survivable nuclear triad. Many Indian nuclear theorists and strategists have held that a force of SSBNs is essential for India to have a fully survivable nuclear deterrent and the development of the INS Arihant has been welcomed as a major step forward in the development of the aforesaid triad.

With a displacement of 6000 tonnes, a length of 111 metres and powered by an 83 MW pressurised water reactor, the INS Arihant has a maximum speed of some 24 knots and has been tested to a depth of some 350 metres. The submarine, though there was significant input from Russia, is the first nuclear powered vessel to be built in India and represents a remarkable technical achievement for both India’s defence research and development agencies as well as its ship-building industry. Its armament consists of 533mm torpedoes and, as befits its task as a ballistic missile submarine, between four and twelve submarine-launched ballistic missiles fitted with nuclear warheads with the number of missiles being dependent on the type carried.

However, in January 2018 it was reported that the INS Arihant was out of commission for 10 months following an incident caused by sea-water ingress following a hatch being left open, leading to fears of reactor contamination. Following checks, the vessel has returned to service. On the face of it, while one may not dispute the fact that the vessel was out of commission for 10 months, the cause of its misfortune is somewhat dubious as stated to date.