India Launches Its Most Powerful Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine

India has launched its fourth nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the S4*, from the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2024. This new submarine strengthens India’s nuclear deterrence against possible threats.

The S4* is equipped with the advanced K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which has a range of 3,500 kilometers.

This missile will play a crucial part in India’s undersea nuclear strategy. The K-4 was first tested in 2020 and will be used with the existing K-15 missiles carried by the older submarines.

The launch of the S4* coincides with India’s continued expansion of its SSBN fleet. The country now has two SSBNs: INS Arihant, commissioned in August 2016, and INS Arighaat, commissioned on August 29, 2024.

The third SSBN, INS Aridhaman, is now undergoing sea trials and is scheduled to be commissioned next year.

Per the sources, the S4* is larger and more capable than the INS Arihant, and it is built with over 75% indigenous components, reflecting India’s increasing self-reliance in defense production.

According to Vice Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the SSBN program is on track, and more submarines are on the way.

In recent developments, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), which will strengthen the Indian Navy’s capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the importance of collective maritime security among nations that share borders with India, citing the need for collaboration to maintain peace in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

INS Arihant now carries K-15 missiles with a range of 750 kilometres. However, the new S4* is designed to launch K-4 missiles exclusively.

Both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat are on deep-sea patrol, and India plans to lease a Russian Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine by 2028.

Reference: The Hindu, LiveMint