India Launches 4th Nuclear-Missile Submarine to Strengthen Naval Deterrence

India Launches 4th Nuclear-Missile Submarine to Strengthen Naval Deterrence

India’s fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) was launched at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, greatly increasing its strategic defense capabilities. India is concentrating on enhancing its nuclear deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, as evidenced by this tactful action that took place amid continuing diplomatic difficulties with Canada.

The recently launched submarine, designated S4*, joins India’s expanding fleet of SSBNs, which are intended to protect the country’s maritime borders and fend off enemies such as China. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the second SSBN, INS Arighaat, on August 29, 2024. Its send-off comes after the authorizing of the third, INS Aridhaman, which is scheduled for the following year.

India’s deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific district were additionally improved on October 9 when the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) supported the Indian Navy’s intention to build two nuclear-powered attack submarines.

On October 16, just one day after Defense Minister Rajnath Singh opened a Very Low-Frequency Naval Station in Telangana for secure communication with the Navy’s strategic assets, S4* was formally launched, despite the Modi government’s continued secrecy regarding its nuclear deterrence plan.

The S4* submarine, which has around 75% indigenous material, is outfitted with vertical launching systems and 3,500-kilometer-range K-4 nuclear ballistic missiles. Its successors, such as S4*, are built to carry the more sophisticated K-4 missiles, in contrast to the original SSBN, INS Arihant, which carries K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.

The only things limiting these submarines’ nearly limitless endurance and range are crew weariness, maintenance requirements, and food supplies. India’s maritime might is being strengthened by the presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat on deep-sea patrols.

India’s ambitious strategy to strengthen its sea-based deterrence against China’s formidable PLA Navy includes the recently launched SSBN. India has given nuclear-powered submarines precedence over more aircraft carriers, which are susceptible to long-range missiles like China’s Dong Feng-21, as a result of Chinese warships patrolling the Indian Ocean more frequently.

India is increasing its conventional submarine force in addition to its nuclear submarines. Plans are underway to construct three more sophisticated diesel attack submarines at Mazagon Dockyards in partnership with the French Naval Group, while the sixth diesel-powered Kalvari-class submarine, INS Vagsheer, is scheduled to be put into service in December 2024.

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India’s strategic submarine fleet is well-positioned to play a vital role in protecting the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and strengthening maritime supremacy as China’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean increases, with 10–11 PLA warships being observed per month since 2023.