Explore INS Arighat: Powerhouse of India’s Naval Strength | UPSC

Introduction

• Recently, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Arighat, its second nuclear submarine. 
• The induction of INS Arighat is intended to bolster India’s nuclear triad, reinforce nuclear deterrence, contribute to establishing strategic stability and peace in the region, and play a crucial role in ensuring the nation’s security.

INS Arighat: India’s Advanced Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine

• INS Arighat is India’s second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), succeeding INS Arihant. 
• It represents a significant technological leap, incorporating advanced indigenous systems and enhancing India’s strategic maritime capabilities.

Key Features of INS Arighat

• Nuclear Power: The submarine is powered by an 83 MW pressurized light-water nuclear reactor, similar to INS Arihant. This allows it to remain submerged for extended periods, unlike conventional submarines that must surface frequently.
• Missile Capabilities: INS Arighat can carry up to 12 K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with a range of 750 km or four K-4 SLBMs with a range of 3,500 km. This flexibility enhances its strategic strike capabilities.
• Speed and Size: With a displacement of around 6,000 tonnes, INS Arighat can achieve speeds of 12-15 knots (22-28 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged, allowing it to quickly maneuver in strategic waters.
• Advanced Stealth Technology: The submarine is equipped with advanced stealth features, reducing its detectability by enemy sonar systems. This enhances its survivability and operational effectiveness in hostile environments.

What is Nuclear Triad? 

• The nuclear triad refers to a nation’s ability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea platforms. 
• INS Arighat strengthens India’s nuclear triad by providing a reliable sea-based deterrence option.

India’s Nuclear Policy

• India follows a “No First Use” policy with credible minimum deterrence, ensuring that any nuclear attack on India will result in massive retaliation. 
• INS Arighat plays a crucial role in maintaining this deterrence by ensuring survivability and second-strike capability.

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Sea-Based Deterrence

INS Arihant:

• • First Indigenous SSBN: INS Arihant is India’s first indigenously developed Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN), marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime defense capabilities.
  • Operational Milestone: Commissioned in 2016, INS Arihant provided India with its first-ever maritime strike capability, crucial for establishing a credible nuclear deterrent.
  • Deterrence Patrol: In 2018, INS Arihant completed its first deterrence patrol, effectively operationalizing India’s nuclear triad, which includes land, air, and sea-based nuclear capabilities.

INS Arighat:

• • Advanced Successor: INS Arighat is the second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) built indigenously by India, following INS Arihant. It is designed with advanced indigenous technologies and improved operational capabilities.
  • Enhanced Strategic Asset: The addition of INS Arighat strengthens India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence, providing a more robust and survivable second-strike capability.

S-4 Submarine:

• • Future Expansion: The S-4 submarine is set to be India’s third indigenous SSBN. It will be larger than both INS Arihant and INS Arighat, allowing it to carry a greater number of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.
  • Increased Strike Capability: With more space for ballistic missiles, the S-4 will enhance India’s ability to deliver nuclear strikes from the sea, further solidifying its strategic deterrence posture.

Land-Based Deterrence

Agni Series:

• • Strategic Range: The Agni series of ballistic missiles form the backbone of India’s land-based nuclear deterrent. The series includes various missiles with ranges from 700 km (Agni-I) to 5,000 km (Agni-V), covering strategic targets across Asia and beyond.
  • Advanced Features: Agni-V, with Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs), can target multiple locations simultaneously, enhancing its deterrence effectiveness against adversaries like China and Pakistan.
  • Strategic Impact: The Agni series ensures that India has a credible and flexible deterrent capable of delivering nuclear payloads to strategic targets, thereby maintaining regional stability.

Prithvi Series:

• • Tactical Flexibility: Developed by DRDO, the Prithvi series consists of short-range ballistic missiles designed for tactical nuclear strikes. Ranges vary from 150 km (Prithvi I) to 350 km (Prithvi II).
  • Dual-Use Capability: These missiles can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, providing India with a versatile deterrent that can be tailored to specific regional threats.
  • Operational Versatility: The Prithvi series offers India the flexibility to respond to various threat scenarios, making it a key component of its land-based deterrence.

Shaurya Missile:

• • Hypersonic Delivery: The Shaurya missile is a hypersonic, land-based missile designed to deliver nuclear payloads with high precision. Its range of 700-1,000 km makes it a critical asset for rapid response scenarios.
  • Strategic Advantage: With its ability to maneuver at hypersonic speeds, Shaurya adds a layer of unpredictability to India’s deterrence, making it difficult for adversaries to intercept.
  • Enhanced Security: Shaurya’s deployment enhances India’s overall deterrence by providing a fast and reliable delivery system capable of penetrating enemy defenses.

Air-Based Deterrence

Rafale Aircraft:

• • Advanced Aerial Platform: The induction of Rafale aircraft into the Indian Air Force has significantly bolstered India’s air-based nuclear deterrence. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, weapons systems, and stealth capabilities.
  • Nuclear Capability: Rafale is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, providing a flexible and mobile platform for delivering nuclear strikes. Its ability to perform deep penetration missions enhances India’s strategic reach.
  • Operational Readiness: With the Rafale, India gains a credible and responsive air-based nuclear deterrent, capable of quick deployment in times of crisis, thereby reinforcing its overall strategic deterrence capabilities.

What is Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)? Aim: The CTBT (multilateral treaty) aims to ban all nuclear explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes  underground, underwater, and in the atmosphere. Adoption and Status: The treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 10, 1996. The treaty has not yet entered into force because eight nations have not ratified it: China, India, Iran, Egypt,  Israel, North Korea, Pakistan , United States.

Nuclear Triad and its Role in Nuclear Deterrence

Nuclear Deterrence:

• • Definition and Purpose: Nuclear deterrence is a strategic approach used by nuclear-armed states to prevent adversaries from launching a nuclear attack. It operates by convincing potential aggressors that the consequences of such an attack would far outweigh any potential gains.
  • Strategic Impact: By maintaining a credible threat of retaliation, nuclear deterrence discourages hostile actions and helps maintain strategic stability between nuclear-armed states.

Principle Behind Nuclear Deterrence:

• • Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD): The principle of MAD underlies nuclear deterrence, where both adversaries possess enough nuclear firepower to cause catastrophic damage to each other. This ensures that any nuclear aggression would result in unacceptable losses for both sides, effectively deterring any first-strike attempts.
  • Psychological Deterrence: The fear of devastating retaliation plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and preventing nuclear conflict, as no rational actor would want to face mutual destruction.

India’s Nuclear Policy and Deterrence Strategy

Credible Minimum Deterrence:

• • • Policy Overview: India’s nuclear policy emphasizes maintaining a credible minimum deterrence, which means having a sufficient number of nuclear weapons to deter an attack without engaging in an arms race.
    • Strategic Balance: This approach allows India to deter potential aggressors while avoiding the excessive costs and risks associated with large nuclear arsenals.
    • Example: India’s deployment of a diverse range of delivery systems, including land-based missiles like Agni-V, ensures that it can deliver a credible retaliatory strike if necessary.

Retaliation to a Nuclear Attack:

• • • No First Use (NFU) Policy: India adheres to a No First Use policy, pledging to use nuclear weapons only in response to a nuclear attack. This policy reinforces India’s image as a responsible nuclear power.
    • Massive Retaliation: In the event of a nuclear strike on India, the country would respond with massive retaliation, ensuring severe damage to the aggressor. This commitment strengthens deterrence by signaling that any nuclear attack on India would invite catastrophic consequences.

Development of India’s Nuclear Deterrence

Post-Independence (1947):

• • Initial Development: Following independence, India began developing its nuclear weapons capability in response to regional security challenges, particularly the emergence of nuclear-armed neighbors like China and Pakistan.
  • Strategic Rationale: The pursuit of nuclear capabilities was seen as essential for safeguarding national security in a volatile regional environment.

First Nuclear Test (1974):

• • Smiling Buddha: India conducted its first nuclear test, codenamed ‘Smiling Buddha,’ in 1974. This test marked India’s entry into the nuclear club and demonstrated its ability to develop and deploy nuclear weapons.
  • Strategic Implications: The test signaled India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and established its position as a nuclear-capable state.

Phase of Nuclear Ambiguity (1974-1998):

• • Ambiguous Stance: During this period, India neither confirmed nor denied the possession of nuclear weapons. This ambiguity served as a strategic deterrent by keeping potential adversaries uncertain about India’s nuclear capabilities.
  • Deterrence through Uncertainty: The lack of clarity about India’s nuclear arsenal contributed to regional stability by preventing adversaries from underestimating India’s capabilities.

Pokhran-II Tests (1998):

• • Nuclear Evolution: In 1998, India conducted a series of nuclear tests at Pokhran, comprising both fission and fusion explosions. These tests established India as a declared nuclear weapons state.
  • Strategic Shift: The tests marked a significant shift in India’s nuclear policy, as it moved from ambiguity to a more transparent posture, outlining its nuclear doctrine and policy commitments.

Post-1998 Nuclear Doctrine:

• • Key Elements of Doctrine:
    • No First Use (NFU): India reaffirmed its commitment to the NFU policy, indicating that it would only use nuclear weapons in retaliation.
    • Minimum Credible Deterrence: India’s doctrine emphasized maintaining a minimal yet credible deterrent to ensure strategic stability.
    • Strategic Forces Command (SFC): India established the SFC to oversee the management, deployment, and operational control of its nuclear forces, ensuring a well-coordinated and effective nuclear deterrent.
• Development of Nuclear Triad:
  • Triad Components: To strengthen its nuclear deterrence, India developed a nuclear triad, comprising land-based missiles, air-delivered nuclear weapons, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
  • Enhanced Deterrence: The nuclear triad ensures that India can retaliate from multiple platforms, making its deterrence more robust and survivable.

Significance of INS Arighat

• • Enhancement of Nuclear Deterrence: INS Arighat significantly boosts India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, strengthening the maritime leg of its nuclear triad. This makes it a crucial asset in maintaining credible minimum deterrence.
  • Contribution to Regional Security: By enhancing India’s ability to launch nuclear strikes from sea, air, and land, INS Arighat contributes to regional security and reinforces India’s strategic influence in the Indian Ocean region.
  • Survivability and Retaliatory Capabilities: With advanced stealth and nuclear capabilities, INS Arighat can survive a first-strike scenario and execute a retaliatory strike, aligning with India’s “No First Use” nuclear policy.
  • Technological Advancements: INS Arighat incorporates indigenous systems and technological innovations, reflecting India’s growing capabilities in nuclear submarine design and construction.

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Challenges with India’s Nuclear Deterrence:

Sea-Based Deterrence Limitations:

• • Smaller Fleet Size: India currently operates only a few nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) like INS Arihant and INS Arighat, whereas countries like the United States have a fleet of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs, and Russia operates a similar number of Borei-class SSBNs.
  • Maintenance Issues: A significant portion of India’s submarine fleet is often under maintenance, reducing the number of operational submarines. This contrasts with the United States, which maintains a rotational system ensuring that a significant portion of its submarine fleet is always operational.
  • Limited Range of SLBMs: The K-15 Sagarika, one of India’s primary submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), has a range of about 750 km, which is significantly shorter than the ranges of SLBMs deployed by other nuclear powers. For instance, the US Trident II D5 SLBM has a range of over 11,000 km, allowing American SSBNs to strike targets from much farther away, providing greater flexibility and reducing the need to operate close to hostile shores.
  • Insufficient Indigenous Technology: While India has made significant strides in indigenous submarine technology, much of its SSBN fleet’s components, including reactor technology and missile systems, still rely on foreign technology and assistance. This dependency can lead to vulnerabilities, as seen in the delays in the development and commissioning of the INS Arihant due to issues related to its reactor, which was developed with Russian assistance.

Other Deterrence Challenges:

• • Inadequate Testing Facilities: Limited nuclear testing facilities hinder the development of advanced re-entry vehicles for nuclear warheads. For instance, the limited testing of the Agni series has raised concerns about the reliability of its warheads’ re-entry capabilities, especially when compared to the extensive testing programs conducted by countries like the United States and Russia.
  • Warhead Yield Concerns: The yield of India’s nuclear warheads may be limited due to the small number of tests conducted. In contrast, countries like the United States and Russia have conducted hundreds of tests, allowing them to develop a wide range of warhead yields and improve their reliability.
  • Communication Issues: Communication with SSBNs like INS Arihant and INS Arighat at great depths is challenging due to the limitations of very low-frequency (VLF) systems. The United States, in contrast, has invested heavily in extremely low-frequency (ELF) communication systems, which provide more reliable deep-sea communication, thereby enhancing the operational effectiveness of its SSBNs.
  • Expansion of Chinese Nuclear Capabilities: China’s rapid advancements, such as the development of the DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and the expansion of its SSBN fleet with the Jin-class submarines, pose a significant strategic challenge to India.

Way Forward for Strengthening India’s Nuclear Deterrence

Testing and Development of SLBMs:

• • India should prioritize the testing and deployment of long-range SLBMs to enhance its nuclear arsenal, ensuring its submarines can deliver strategic strikes over greater distances.
  • For example, the United States successfully tested and deployed the Trident II D5 SLBM, which has a range of over 11,000 km, significantly enhancing its second-strike capabilities and ensuring global reach from its SSBN fleet. 

Investment in Missile Defense Systems:

• • Developing and deploying advanced missile defense systems, such as the Agni VI, will be crucial in countering the growing threat from China’s modernizing nuclear arsenal.
  • For instance, Russia’s deployment of the S-400 missile defense system has provided it with a robust shield against incoming threats, including missiles,

Strengthening Conventional Military Capabilities:

• • Enhancing conventional military strength will help India deter conflicts that could potentially escalate to the nuclear level, thereby maintaining strategic stability.
  • For instance,  China’s rapid modernization of its conventional forces, including the development of the J-20 stealth fighter and DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, has enhanced its deterrence posture.   

Strategic Cooperation with Allies:

• • India should continue to deepen its strategic partnerships, particularly with allies like the United States, to bolster its deterrence posture through joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and coordinated defense strategies.