New Delhi: India is poised to take a significant step in bolstering the underwater component of its nuclear triad, with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi announcing that the third indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, INS Aridaman, is in the final stages of trials and will soon be formally commissioned into the Indian Navy. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Navy Day 2025, Admiral Tripathi underscored the Navy’s ongoing efforts to enhance its overall combat capability, both in conventional and strategic domains, as well as its readiness to address evolving maritime security challenges.

INS Aridaman represents a critical addition to India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programme, joining the first two indigenous vessels, INS Arihant and INS Arighat. The SSBN programme forms a cornerstone of India’s nuclear deterrence strategy, providing a secure and survivable second-strike capability that ensures the country maintains a credible nuclear deterrent. While India has long established air- and land-based nuclear strike capabilities, the addition of INS Aridaman underscores its commitment to strengthening its underwater nuclear arsenal, a domain traditionally controlled by a limited number of countries including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China.

Operational and Strategic Readiness

Admiral Tripathi also highlighted the Navy’s broader operational readiness in recent months, pointing to the success of Operation Sindoor, which involved aggressive posturing in the Western Arabian Sea. According to the Navy Chief, the operation compelled the Pakistan Navy to remain close to its ports or near the Makran coast, significantly limiting its operational freedom at sea. “The aggressive posturing and immediate action, including deployment of the carrier battle group, ensured that Pakistan could not project naval power beyond its coastal waters,” Admiral Tripathi stated.

The operation also reportedly imposed financial strain on Pakistan, as shipping companies became reluctant to send merchant vessels to Pakistani ports, with insurance costs for such voyages rising substantially. While he did not elaborate on operational details, the Admiral indicated that Operation Sindoor “remains in progress,” signaling ongoing vigilance and a sustained maritime deterrence posture.

Future Acquisitions and Fleet Modernization

In addition to strengthening its nuclear submarine fleet, the Indian Navy is nearing the final stages of Project 75 India, under which six stealth conventional submarines are set to be acquired. The Navy Chief noted that negotiations and approvals for this acquisition are approaching completion, which will enhance India’s undersea combat capabilities in both conventional and asymmetric scenarios.

Further augmenting the Navy’s strike capabilities, India has signed a ₹64,000-crore deal with France for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets, with the first four expected to be delivered in 2028. These carrier-capable jets will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to project air power from its platforms at sea.

India’s Indigenous SSBN Programme

The INS Aridaman follows the launch of INS Arihant in July 2009 and its quiet commissioning in 2016, and the subsequent addition of INS Arighat. Each vessel under the programme is designed to carry nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, ensuring a credible second-strike capability. The development of these submarines is closely guarded, reflecting the strategic importance of nuclear-powered assets in maintaining India’s national security.

The Navy Chief emphasized that these submarines are a key pillar of India’s credible minimum deterrence policy, aligned with the country’s longstanding nuclear doctrine. India maintains a no-first-use (NFU) policy, formally codified in 2003, and continues to advocate for universal nuclear disarmament, aiming for the complete elimination of atomic weapons. The commissioning of INS Aridaman is thus part of a broader strategy to ensure strategic stability and safeguard national interests in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Strategic Significance in Global Context

India’s induction of INS Aridaman places it among a select group of nations capable of deploying nuclear-powered submarines, a capability that significantly enhances both national security and regional deterrence posture. Unlike surface vessels or land-based nuclear platforms, SSBNs offer stealth, survivability, and the ability to remain undetected for extended periods, making them a crucial element in triad-based deterrence strategies worldwide.

The Indian Navy’s ongoing modernization efforts, including the commissioning of Aridaman, Project 75 India acquisitions, and the induction of carrier-capable fighter jets, collectively reflect a strategic focus on multi-dimensional operational readiness. These measures are designed to enhance India’s capability to address both conventional threats and maintain a credible nuclear deterrent, projecting power in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) while safeguarding national maritime interests.

Looking Ahead

Admiral Tripathi’s announcements come at a time of heightened attention to regional security dynamics, particularly in the Arabian Sea and the broader Indian Ocean. The Navy’s emphasis on readiness, operational excellence, and strategic deterrence underscores India’s intent to maintain a robust maritime posture and ensure that its nuclear and conventional capabilities remain modern, credible, and effective.

With INS Aridaman set to join the fleet, India consolidates its position as one of the few countries globally with an operational underwater nuclear strike capability, further enhancing the security of the nation’s nuclear triad. The commissioning of this vessel is likely to have significant implications for India’s maritime strategy, regional deterrence, and strategic autonomy in a rapidly evolving security environment.

In summary, the Indian Navy is on the threshold of a major leap in both strategic and conventional capabilities. The imminent commissioning of INS Aridaman, alongside the ongoing modernization projects and operational achievements like Operation Sindoor, demonstrates India’s commitment to maintaining a credible, capable, and technologically advanced naval force capable of safeguarding its maritime borders and contributing to regional stability.