INS ARIHANT, 2016 - THIRD ARM OF THE TRIAD

A triumph of indigenous mastery of complex military technology, INS Arihant completes India's nuclear triad and bolsters India's maritime security at a time of aggressive Chinese naval expansion

- BY PRADIP R. SAGAR

Excepting its proven excellence in ballistic missiles, India has met its needs for cutting-edge military hardware either through imports or licensed manufacturing under transfer of technology deals. The emergence of INS Arihant—India's first indigenous nuclear submarine—therefore, has to be counted as one of the country's finest-ever achievements in cracking complex military know-how. Designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Arihant was launched on July 26, 2009, and commissioned on August 23, 2016. Its development highlights the country's commitment to self-reliance in defence and signals progress in indigenous ship-building, nuclear propulsion and missile systems, thus reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.

Most importantly, Arihant satisfactorily fulfils India's strategic nuclear deterrent under the triad doctrine, which encompasses land, air and sea-based nuclear delivery systems.