NEW DELHI, Feb 20 : India’s underwater nuclear capability is poised for a major expansion with the expected induction of INS Aridhaman in April–May 2026. The third nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) will operate under the Strategic Forces Command, reinforcing the sea based component of the country’s nuclear deterrence architecture.
Built by Larsen & Toubro and assembled at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, the 7,000-tonne platform is powered by an 83 MW reactor, allowing it to remain submerged for prolonged periods. The vessel has been undergoing extensive sea trials ahead of formal commissioning.
Designed for stealth and long-duration patrols, SSBNs form the backbone of a credible second-strike capability. Their operational zones remain classified, underscoring their strategic importance.
The submarine is expected to be equipped with either 24 K-15 ballistic missiles with a range of 750 km or eight K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles capable of striking targets over 3,000 km away.
INS Aridhaman follows INS Arihant, commissioned in 2016, and INS Arighaat, inducted in 2024. A fourth vessel in the same series is in the pipeline, while the larger S5-class submarines projected to displace around 14,000 tonnes are planned for the future.
In December 2025, Navy Chief Admiral D K Tripathi indicated that final trials were on track for induction in early 2026.
With this addition, India continues to strengthen its position among a select group of nations including the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and China that operate nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.