INS Aridhaman: A New Era in India's Naval Defense

INS Aridhaman: Latest Updates

Recently, the Chief Admiral of the Indian Navy announced that the country will soon induct its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the INS Aridhaman. This development marks a significant advancement in India's naval capabilities.

About INS Aridhaman

INS Aridhaman is India’s third indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and the second submarine in the Arihant class. It is being constructed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, which aims to develop nuclear submarines at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam.

Features of INS Aridhaman

• Displacement Capacity: The submarine can displace 6,000 tonnes when on the surface and 7,000 tonnes when submerged.
• Reactor: It is powered by an 83 MW pressurized water reactor, which is supplied by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
• Armaments: INS Aridhaman features four launch tubes capable of deploying up to 24 K-15 Sagarika missiles, each with a range of 750 km. It can also launch the longer-range K-4 missiles, which extend to 3,500 km for intercontinental strikes.
• Survivability: The submarine is equipped with anechoic tiles for acoustic damping and advanced sonar suites, enhancing its survivability against detection.

History of India’s Nuclear Submarines

INS Arihant was the first vessel under the SSBN project, representing a monumental achievement as India’s first home-made nuclear submarine. It was launched in July 2009 and was quietly commissioned into service in 2016. Following this, the Navy commissioned its second indigenous SSBN, INS Arighaat, in August 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is INS Aridhaman?
Answer: INS Aridhaman is India's third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, part of the Arihant class, aimed at enhancing India's naval capabilities.

Q2. What are the armaments of INS Aridhaman?
Answer: It can deploy K-15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750 km and K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 km, allowing for intercontinental strikes.

Q3. When was INS Arihant commissioned?
Answer: INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016 after being launched in July 2009, marking India's entry into nuclear submarine capabilities.

Q4. Where is INS Aridhaman being built?
Answer: INS Aridhaman is being constructed at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam under the Advanced Technology Vessel project.

Q5. What is the displacement capacity of INS Aridhaman?
Answer: INS Aridhaman has a displacement capacity of 6,000 tonnes on the surface and 7,000 tonnes when submerged.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary purpose of INS Aridhaman?
A) Research vessel
B) Ballistic missile submarine
C) Aircraft carrier
D) Frigate
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which technology is used in INS Aridhaman's reactor?
A) Gas turbine
B) Pressurized water reactor
C) Nuclear fusion
D) Steam turbine
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: What is the range of the K-4 missile deployed by INS Aridhaman?
A) 750 km
B) 1,500 km
C) 3,500 km
D) 5,000 km
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: When was INS Arihant commissioned into service?
A) 2009
B) 2012
C) 2016
D) 2020
Correct Answer: C

Question 5: How many K-15 Sagarika missiles can INS Aridhaman deploy?
A) 12
B) 18
C) 24
D) 30
Correct Answer: C

Question 6: What project is INS Aridhaman a part of?
A) Project 15
B) Advanced Technology Vessel
C) Project 17A
D) Project 21
Correct Answer: B

Question 7: Where is the Ship Building Centre located that constructs INS Aridhaman?
A) Mumbai
B) Visakhapatnam
C) Chennai
D) Kochi
Correct Answer: B