INS Arihant (SSBN)

INS Arihant (SSBN)

Type: submarine

Domain: sea

Country of Origin: India

Manufacturer: Ship Building Centre

Overview

India's first indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and the cornerstone of India's sea-based nuclear deterrent — making India only the sixth nation (after the US, Russia, UK, France, China) to design, build, and operate SSBNs. The Arihant class displaces approximately 6,000 tonnes submerged with a length of 111 metres. Powered by an 83 MW pressurised water reactor (PWR) developed with Russian assistance but manufactured in India, driving a single shaft for submerged speed exceeding 24 knots and effectively unlimited endurance. Armed with 4 vertical launch tubes for 12x K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles (750 km range) or 4x K-4 missiles (3,500 km range). Also equipped with 533mm torpedo tubes. The submarine ensures that India maintains a secure second-strike nuclear capability even if land-based forces are neutralised in a first strike. INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016 and reportedly completed its first deterrent patrol in 2018, establishing India's nuclear triad.

Technical Specifications

typeNuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
length~111 m
reactor83 MW PWR
missilesK-15 Sagarika (750 km) in 4 tubes; K-4 (3,500 km) integration in progress
commissioned2016 (Arihant)
displacement~6,000 tonnes (submerged)

Operators

Related sea Weapon Systems