Why in News?
The Indian Navy successfully test-fired the K-4 ballistic missile from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal. The K-4 missile, with a range of 3,500 km, enhances India’s nuclear deterrence and validates its second-strike capability.
Details of the K-4 Ballistic Missile:
- Type: Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
- Range: 3,500 km, significantly surpassing the 750 km range of the earlier K-15 missile.
- Design: Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile is equipped with advanced navigation and stealth features.
- Capabilities:
- Can deliver nuclear warheads.
- Enhanced precision due to advanced guidance systems.
- Operable from underwater platforms, making detection challenging for adversaries.
- Upgrades in Pipeline: Future versions, K-5 and K-6 missiles, with ranges of 5,000–6,000 km, are under development.
Significance of INS Arighaat in India’s Defence:
- Second Nuclear Submarine: INS Arighaat, commissioned in August 2024, is India’s second nuclear-powered submarine with SLBM capabilities after INS Arihant. Its induction marks a major milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing.
- Capabilities:
- Can carry multiple K-4 missiles.
- Features advanced stealth, communication, and navigation technologies.
- More powerful than its predecessor, INS Arihant.
- Role in Nuclear Triad: Completes the naval leg of India’s nuclear triad, alongside land-based missiles (Agni series) and air-launched nuclear weapons.
India’s Nuclear Triad and Deterrence Strategy:
- Nuclear Triad: The ability to deliver nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea, ensuring survivability and retaliatory strike capabilities.
- Land-based Systems: Agni series of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
- Air-based Systems: Fighter jets configured for delivering nuclear payloads.
- Sea-based Systems: Nuclear submarines with ballistic missile capabilities.
- Importance of Submarine-launched Systems:
- Provide stealth and survivability as submarines remain hidden underwater.
- Enable second-strike capability, crucial for credible deterrence.
- Make retaliatory strikes possible even if land-based systems are compromised.
- Regional Context: Balances the growing capabilities of regional adversaries like China and Pakistan.
Technological and Strategic Advancements:
- Indigenous Development: INS Arighaat showcases India’s progress under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. Designed and built by Indian scientists, engineers, and naval personnel.
- Advanced Systems: New-generation sonar and radar systems. Integrated with indigenous communication and navigation technologies.
- Enhanced Deterrence: Increases India’s strategic reach with its ability to target locations far beyond regional borders. Boosts India’s preparedness against potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Comparison of Nuclear Submarine Fleet and Missile Systems:
- Size and Firepower Comparison: India’s SSBNs, like INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, are smaller in size (around 6,000 tons) compared to global counterparts like the US Ohio-class (18,000 tons) and China’s Jin-class (12,000 tons). Despite their smaller size, India’s submarines carry advanced nuclear missiles, such as the K-4 with a 3,500 km range.
- Missile Range Discrepancy: India’s current missiles, such as the K-4 (3,500 km range), fall short of the longer-range missiles deployed by the US and China. For instance, US Ohio-class SSBNs are armed with Trident II D5 missiles that have a range of 10,000 km, and China’s Jin-class submarines are equipped with JL-3 missiles, also having a similar 10,000 km range.
- Strategic Implications and Development Plans: India is actively enhancing its nuclear submarine fleet, with future plans to introduce larger SSBNs (around 13,500 tons) and more powerful missiles like the K-5 and K-6, which will increase its strategic reach and deterrence capabilities, closing the gap with global powers.
Future Plans for India’s Nuclear Submarine Fleet and Missile Systems:
- Development of More Advanced Submarines (SSBNs): INS Aridhaman is scheduled for induction in 2025, INS Aridhaman will be India’s third nuclear-powered submarine and slightly larger than the INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
- A fourth nuclear-powered submarine is being built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, which will be more powerful and capable of carrying larger numbers of nuclear missiles.
- Development of K-5 and K-6 Ballistic Missiles: The K-5 missile will have a range of 5,000 to 6,000 km, allowing India to target adversaries at even greater distances. The K-6 missile is a long-range SLBM with an expected range of up to 6,000 km. It will significantly enhance India’s strategic options, allowing the country to deploy nuclear payloads from submarines on a much broader scale.
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