Eleanor Thompson INS Arighat, a significant addition to India’s nuclear submarine program, was commissioned on August 29, 2024, at the Indian Navy’s Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, in presence of the Minister of Defense, Shri Rajnath Singh. The submarine’s name, derived from the Sanskrit term meaning “Destroyer of the Enemy”.
India has been developing a strong nuclear deterrent as part of its defence strategy. This involves completing its nuclear triad, the ability to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea, and air.
Predecessors and Successors
INS Arighat follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, INS Arihant, which was the first nuclear-powered submarine built in India. The third submarine INS Aridhaman in the Arihant class is expected to be commissioned in the near future.
Technical Details of INS Arighat
- Class: Arihant-class
- Displacement: Approximately 6,000 tons
- Length: 111 meters (364 feet)
- Beam: 10.5 meters (34 feet)
- Draft: 8.5 meters (28 feet)
- Propulsion: Nuclear reactor, steam turbines
- Top Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)
- Range: Essentially unlimited due to nuclear propulsion
- Armament: K-15 and K-4 ballistic missiles
Nuclear Fuel and Reactor
- Reactor Type: Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)
- Power: 83 MW
- Reactor Design: Indigenous design developed by the Indian Navy’s Strategic Forces Command and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
India has been steadily expanding its submarine fleet in recent years, bolstering its maritime capabilities and strategic deterrence. This expansion includes both conventional diesel-electric submarines and nuclear-powered submarines.
Conventional Submarines
- Shishumar-class: India has two Shishumar-class diesel-electric attack submarines, which are being upgraded by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). These upgrades include arming the boats with Boeing anti-ship missile systems.
- Kilo-class: India has also been upgrading its Kilo-class submarines in partnership with Russia’s Zvezdochka and India’s Larsen and Toubro.
- Scorpène-class: India is building six new Scorpène-class submarines at Mazagon Dock Ltd. in partnership with France’s Naval Group. The first, the Kalvari, was commissioned in 2017, followed by the Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir, and Vagsheer.
Nuclear-Powered Submarines
- Arihant-class: India’s nuclear-powered submarine program is centered around the Arihant-class. The first submarine, the INS Arihant, was commissioned in 2016. It is equipped with K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and is capable of carrying nuclear-capable Nirbhay cruise missiles. India has since launched the INS Arighat, the second submarine in the Arihant-class, with plans for two more to follow.
- Akula-class: India has leased an Akula-class nuclear submarine from Russia, which is expected to be delivered in 2025.
Submarine Bases
India has constructed two submarine bases to support its growing fleet: Karwar and the secret INS Varsha base near Kakinada. These bases provide essential infrastructure for submarine operations and maintenance.
What is a submarine, a nuclear submarine and who are others in this club?
A submarine is a stealthy underwater vessel. Diesel submarines need to surface for refueling, while nuclear submarines can operate for much longer periods without surfacing, thanks to their powerful nuclear reactors. This gives nuclear submarines a significant advantage in strategic and tactical operations. Only a few countries (USA, UK, Russia, France, China and India) have nuclear submarines, and those with nuclear weapons are called SSBNs (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear), while those without are called SSNs (Ship Submersible Nuclear).
History of the ATV Programme
The Arihant-class submarines, including INS Arighat, were developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme, launched in 1984. This ambitious project aimed to design and build India’s own nuclear-powered submarines with the support of the Soviet Union. This project was officially mentioned in the Indian Parliament by former Defence Minister George Fernandes.
SSBN and SSN Capabilities of the Arihant-class
The Arihant-class submarines are classified as Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarines. This means they are equipped with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The Arihant-class submarines are armed with up to twelve K-15 (~750 kms range) and four K-4 ballistic missiles (~3500 kms range).
While the Arihant-class primarily serves as a nuclear deterrent, they also possess capabilities to operate as Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSN) submarines, which are designed for attack missions. This versatility enhances the Arihant-class submarines’ strategic value.
The Significance of INS Arighat
The commissioning of INS Arighat further strengthens India’s nuclear deterrent and maritime power projection. It demonstrates India’s technological advancements in nuclear submarine technology play a crucial role in India’s strategic posture. They provide India with a second-strike capability (in case land-based sites are unavailable), deterring potential adversaries from attacking. Additionally, these submarines enhance India’s maritime security and influence in the Indian Ocean region.
Technical Seminar organised by MEG
Mechanical Engineering Group (MEG) of Engineering New Zealand (ENZ) is holding a technical seminar on this topic in Auckland on 27th May 6pm.
About the Author
Dr. Vinay Karanam is a chartered Mechanical and Nuclear Engineer. He is an international consultant with extensive expertise on advanced nuclear and aerospace technologies. A former engineering scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre who was involved in this project between 2008-2020.
