New Delhi: Amid a diplomatic spat with Canada, India quietly launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine at Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam this week to strengthen its nuclear deterrence against its adversaries.
This covert operation marked a major milestone in India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, showcasing its commitment to safeguarding its national interests.
The launch of the SSBN submarine, a highly sophisticated naval vessel equipped with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, came as a surprise to many observers. The operation was conducted with utmost secrecy, avoiding any public fanfare or official announcements. This stealthy approach was likely a deliberate attempt to avoid further escalating tensions with Canada or other nations.
India’s Stealthy Nuclear Deterrent
India’s development of nuclear-powered submarines is a critical component of its nuclear triad, which also includes land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft. The SSBNs provide a highly survivable and flexible platform for delivering nuclear weapons, ensuring that India can retaliate against any nuclear attack.
Although the Modi government is tight-lipped on nuclear deterrence, the fourth SSBN, codenamed S4*, was launched on October 16, a day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Very Low Frequency Naval Station in Damagundam forest area of Vikarabad district in Telangana for command, control and communications with strategic assets of the Indian Navy.
The newly launched S4* SSBN has nearly 75% indigenous content and is equipped only with 3,500km range K-4 nuclear ballistic missiles, which can be fired through vertical launching systems. While the first of its class INS Arihant carries 750 km range K-15 nuclear missiles, its successors are all upgrades of the previous ones and carry only K-4 ballistic missiles. With unlimited range and endurance, the SSBN is constrained only by food supplies, crew fatigue and maintenance.
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