India to induct third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) INS Aridhaman soon: Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi

Key facts

• India will soon induct its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman.
• INS Arighaat, the second SSBN, was commissioned into the Strategic Forces Command in Visakhapatnam in August.
• Once INS Aridhaman enters service, India will have three operational ballistic missile submarines at sea for the first time.
• INS Aridhaman is undergoing advanced trials.
• INS Aridhaman is designed to carry more long-range nuclear-tipped missiles than predecessors INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
• A fourth SSBN is currently under construction.
• Upcoming submarines have the capacity to load additional K-4 missiles due to their larger build.
• The four platforms are part of the classified Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project launched in the 1990s with an outlay of over ₹90,000 crore.
• China operates six Jin-class SSBNs equipped with JL-3 missiles (10,000-km range) and six SSNs.
• The US has 14 Ohio-class SSBNs and 53 nuclear attack submarines.