INS Aridhaman: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described INS Aridhaman as more than just a name and called it a symbol of power. As per defence officials, India's sea-based nuclear deterrent is set to get a major boost as the Indian Navy is set to commission the indigenously built Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) today, April 3. Taking to his X account, Rajnath Singh, in a post on Friday, said, "Not just a word, 'Aridhaman' is power!" Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, in a post from his X handle, wrote, "भारत के अजेय साहस का प्रतिबिंब है, 'अरिदमन' )India is set to welcome its 3rd nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman)."
INS Aridhaman is an advanced version of Arihant-class submarines
An advanced version of the Arihant-class submarines, INS Aridhaman, follows earlier inductions of INS Arighaat in August 2024 and INS Arihant in 2016, respectively.
With the commissioning of INS Aridhaman, India will take another step forward in strengthening its nuclear triad and maritime deterrence.
Built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, INS Aridhaman weighs 7,000 tonnes, making it larger than its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat that weighed 6,000 tonnes.
The submarine carries eight vertical launch system (VLS) tubes, compared to four on earlier vessels, which allows it to deploy up to 24 K-15 Sagarika short-range missiles (750 km) and eight K-4 intermediate-range missiles (3,500 km). It can also accommodate K-5 missiles with a range of 6,000 km.
Powered by an 83 MW Compact Light Water Reactor (CLWR), INS Aridhaman is an upgraded pressurised water reactor with a very low acoustic signature. It features a seven-blade propeller, enabling speeds of 12-15 knots on the surface and 24 knots submerged, reported TOI.
The submarine features advanced indigenous sonar systems, USHUS and Panchendriya, along with anechoic tiles, improve stealth and detection capabilities.
INS Aridhaman's enhanced missile payload and stealth will strengthen India's "second-strike" capability. The submarine will be stationed at Project Varsha, a high-security naval base with underground pens near Visakhapatnam.
The occasion also coincides with the induction of INS Taragiri at Visakhapatnam, where Rajnath Singh will be present, reported news agency ANI.
Eastern Naval Command (ENC) to induct INS Taragiri (F41) into its fleet
Defence Minister Singh will attend the commissioning ceremony of the advanced stealth Frigate INS Taragiri at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam today. The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) will formally induct INS Taragiri (F41) into its fleet.
The commissioning underscores the strategic and maritime significance of India's eastern seaboard. It also reflects the Indian Navy's continued focus on enhancing combat readiness and operational capability, while reinforcing the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Taragiri's induction comes at a time when the strategic and maritime importance of India's eastern seaboard continues to grow, driven by evolving regional security dynamics and India's deepening engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
As the fourth potent platform of the Project 17A class, Taragiri is not merely a ship; it is a 6,670-tonne embodiment of the 'Make in India' spirit and the sophisticated engineering capabilities of our indigenous shipyards.
Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, this Frigate represents a generational leap over earlier designs, offering a sleeker form and a significantly reduced Radar Cross-Section that allows it to operate with lethal stealth.
With indigenous content exceeding 75 per cent, the ship highlights the maturity of a domestic industrial ecosystem that now spans over 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to the GoI's Aatmanirbharta initiatives supports thousands of Indian jobs.
Driven by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plant, Taragiri is designed for 'High-Speed - High Endurance' versatility and multi-dimensional maritime operations. The ship's weapon suite is world-class, featuring supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, and a specialised Anti-Submarine Warfare suite.
These systems are seamlessly integrated through a state-of-the-art Combat Management System, ensuring that the crew can respond to threats with split-second precision.
Beyond its role as a premier hunter of the seas, Taragiri is built for the complexities of modern diplomacy and humanitarian crises. Its flexible mission profile makes it ideal for everything from high-intensity combat to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
The Indian Navy continues to grow as a combat-ready, cohesive, credible, Aatmanirbhar force, safeguarding the seas for a Viksit, Samriddha Bharat guarded by ships designed by Indians, built by Indians and operated by Indians.
Taragiri stands ready for a promising future as a beacon of rising maritime power and an ironclad guardian of the country's blue frontiers.
(With inputs from agencies)
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