Third N-submarine soon, in final stages of trial: Navy chief

INS ARIDHAMAN TO BE COMMISSIONED BY 2026-27

- DEEPTIMAN TIWARY

INDIA WILL COMMISSION its third nuclearsubmarine soon as it is in the final stages of trials, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said Tuesday.

The induction of INS Aridhaman will take India’s operational fleet of the Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) to three, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s sea-based nuclear deterrent.

“(INS) Arighaat was commissioned in August 2024 and Aridhaman will be commissioned soon. It is in the final stages of trials,’ Admiral Tripathi told the press ahead of Navy Day on Thursday.

Expected to be commissioned around 2026-27, Aridhaman is designed to carry the longer-range K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles and will move India closer to sustained, near-continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent patrols, a key requirement of a credible second-strike capability.