Samudran Shikari with 3500KM range, equipped with K-4 SLBM will increase everyone's tension

INS Aridhaman Submarine: India’s maritime border is now going to be more secure than ever. The Indian Navy is on the verge of strengthening the strongest link of its nuclear triad. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi has confirmed that the country’s third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Aridman is in its final trials and will soon be commissioned into the Navy. This submarine is like an invincible hunter which has the ability to respond to the enemy even from thousands of kilometers away.

The deployment of INS Aridman is being seen as a big strategic message for both China and Pakistan. Equipped with the K-4 SLBM with a range of 3500 km, this platform gives India an underwater nuclear second-strike capability, which ensures a decisive advantage in the event of any conflict. After INS Arihant and INS Arighat, this submarine is considered to be the most advanced upgrade of the Arihant-class.

What is INS Aridaman and why is it so important?

Being the third submarine of the Arihant-class, INS Aridhaman is the most powerful phase of India’s indigenous Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. Not only is it bigger than before, but its firepower and stealth features are also many times advanced. This submarine firmly places India in the special list of those 6 countries which have a real nuclear SSBN fleet.

With 3500 km range K-4 missiles, advanced stealth and high-power nuclear reactor. (Photo PTI)

Key Features of INS Aridman (Bullet Points)

83 MW Nuclear Reactor, Unlimited Operational Range.
Capable of carrying 24 K-15 (750 km) or 8 K-4 (3500 km) SLBMs.
Equipped with anechoic tiles and advanced sonar.
Test depth of 300–450 metres.
Crew of 95–100 members.
Number of Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes doubled (4 → 8).
Equipped with heavyweight torpedoes like Varunastra.

Technical specifications: a look

1. Design and size

Length: 125–130 m
Width: 11 meters
Displacement: 7,000 tons (when sunk)

2. Speed and power

Speed at sinking: 24 knots
83 MW nuclear reactor

3. Weapon System

K-15/K-4 missile capability
6 × 533 mm torpedoes

INS Aridaman vs Arihant and Arighat

submarine	Capacity	missile range	VLS Tubes	stealth	Power
INS Arihant	Basic SSBN	750km	4	General	first edition
INS Arighat	Upgraded SSB	750–3500 km	4	better	second generation
INS Aridaman	Advanced SSBN	3500km	8	high stealth	most powerful

Strategic role of Operation Sindoor and Aridaman

Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Navy Chief said that the aggressive deployment of the Indian Navy had limited the Pakistan Navy to its ports. During this period, India took underwater surveillance and strike-positioning to new heights. INS Aridman will prove to be a platform to increase this strategic advantage manifold.

Equipped with anechoic tiles and advanced sonar. (Photo PTI)

The strongest pillar of India’s nuclear triad

After the deployment of INS Aridman, India’s nuclear triad on land, air and sea will become completely balanced and high capable. Through SSBN, India signals to the enemy that the response to any nuclear attack will be definite and destructive.

Preparing for the future (Project-75 India and Rafale-M)

Along with this, India is also going to buy six stealth submarines at a cost of Rs 70,000 crore. The first batch of 26 Rafale-M will arrive in 2028. These fighter aircraft in the air-wing of INS Vikrant will increase the strength of the Navy manifold.