Source: LM
Context: India has commissioned its second nuclear-powered missile submarine, INS Arighaat at Visakhapatnam
With the addition of INS Arighaat, India’s navy now has two SSBNs (INS Arihant and INS Arighaat). Both submarines are part of the indigenously developed Arihant-class under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project. INS Arihant, commissioned in 2016, has successfully launched a Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) that can carry either four K-4 SLBMs or twelve K-15 SLBMs. India also leased a Russian Akula-class submarine in 2019. These submarines bolster India’s nuclear deterrence and strategic stability in South Asia, but face challenges from China’s advanced submarine capabilities and other technological and investment issues.
