Col Alok Mathur, SM (Veteran)
INS Arighat , Code Name S 3 , indigenously built second Nuclear Powered Submarine equipped with Nuclear tipped Ballastic Missiles (SSBN) Joined Indian Navy on 28 August 2024 in presence of Raksha Mantri Raj Nath Singh , Chief of Naval Staff and other Military officers at Ship Building Centre, Vishakhapatnam ( Andhra Pradesh) . SSBN Arighat is designed and manufactured in India, a matter of pride for the Nation and dream of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Indian SSBN weighs about 6000 tonnes; it is 112 metre long and about 11 metres wide and 10 metres High Hull of Titanium based alloys with submerged cruising speed is almost 50 Kilometre per hour (30 knots) . The crew consisted of 90 Officers and Ratings.
The scientists of Defence Research and Development, Naval Science and Technology Laboratory, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Chairman of Ship Building Centre with his core Team , were overwhelmed when they also witnessed the smooth slide of Black Shark INS Arighat with Tricolour painted on Head and Hull in to the waves of Bay of Bengal . The lethal Cigar shaped Black U Boat has become a part of Strategic Forces Command to further strengthen the TRIAD capability and strategic deterrence of India.
Shan No Varunah is the motto of the Indian Navy which means,”O God of the Sea (Varun Devta), be auspicious on us.” The Indian Navy is one the top navies in the world with Blue Water capabilities. Indian Navy’s role is to protect the 7000 kms long blue frontiers and faraway maritime assets in the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. It is also mandated to actively participate in anti-Piracy operations in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Cape of Good hope and also Malacca strait region and South China Sea also. The President of India is the supreme commander of Indian Armed Forces. Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, a four-star Admiral is the present Chief of Naval Chief.
Indian Navy was raised on 26 Jan 1950 and was born from Royal Indian Navy of pre-independence era. The present manpower of the Indian Navy is 1. 5 Lakhs including reservists. The Navy has approximately 2OO Naval Vessels including Modern Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, Destroyers, Frigates, Corvettes, Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs), Landing Craft Utility (LCU), Fleet Tankers, Mine Sweepers, Fast patrol boats and several India Naval Air Squadrons with modern Fighters like MIG 29K, Deep Surveillance squadrons with P 8I Boeing, Dornier 228 and Helicopters Units of Dhurv (ALH), Ka 31, Sea King Mk 42 C and UH 3 and old Sea Horse Chetak.
Submarines are the eyes, ears and teeth of any Navy in the World. German U boats had destroyed hundreds of warships of the Allies (USA, Britain , France , Canada) and were a terror in the waters. Similarly, the Japanese Navy was very strong and had a large fleet of aircraft carriers and submarines and ruled the Indo Pacific waters. USA and Britain also had a lethal and potent Submarine fleet.
Indian Navy has been also upgrading its submarine fleet gradually. As on date, we have a small fleet of approx 20 U boats. Most of the fleet is of old vintage but after 2015, there has been focus to replace/upgrade the conventional vintage submarines to modern and more lethal SSN and SSBN class of Submarines equipped with a small nuclear reactor as power pack which imparts month long underwater duration and inherent safety and security with stealth.
There are three types of submarines. The first type are the Diesel Electric Submarines (SS) which are the most common variant. They are powered by large number of rechargeable batteries and are fitted with Diesel power pack with 1000 to 1200 HP that give drive to mechanical robust propellers. 95% of Indian submarines are conventional submarines. The advantages of this type are that they have low cost of manufacture, easy to maintain and refurbish, radiation free, safe, whereas the disadvantages are that they give an easy target to the enemy being noisy. The maximum depth these submarines dive is limited to 200 metres. Also, they have to surface within 72 hours as oxygen required for batteries and have less endurance compare to the SSN and SSBN.
They are tactical battle platforms fitted with 12/16 Torpedoes with limited range with conventional war heads. India possesses 16 conventional attack Submarines – five Kalvari Class (French origin Scorpene), seven Sindhughosh (Russian Origin) Kilo Class and four Shishumar (HDW German Origin Type 209/1500 ). Russian origin submarines are almost 20 years old and require extensive periodic maintenance.
The Indian Navy’s romance with Nuclear Submarines dates back to 1999, when Project Advance Technology Vessel (ATV) was sanctioned and keel was laid for Arihant. After lot of negotiations, India was able to acquire one Akula Class Nuclear powered attack submarine from Russia (SSBN ) in 2012 but without any Nuclear tipped/ Conventional weapons . It was named INS Chakra. The rider was it could only be used for reconnaissance and training purpose only. The main objective was to train Submariners to operate Nuclear powered submarines and train for long under water duration and Nuclear Warfare and learn anti-radiation safety measures. Project ATV was already in pipe line to construct SSBNs at Home. DRDO and Naval scientist had already developed a design and process to manufacture at Ship Building Centre Vizag, had already initiated. INS Chakra was leased for 10 years (till 2021). More than 300 Naval crew were trained during this period.
Project Advance Technology Vehicle (ATV) at NSTL Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Coast) was launched on 26 July 2009 and the first Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine was secretly commissioned in to active service in August 2016 powered by one CLWR B 1 compact light water nuclear mini reactor with one turbine, one shaft and 7 bladed strog skewed propellers. The first indigenous Nuclear powered attack Submarine was christened as INS Arihant (Enemy Terminator).
There is a plan construct six SSBNs under the project. The second Arihant Class Nuclear Submarine has already been commissioned on 28 August 2024. The second Black beauty has been named as INS Arighat (ambush the enemy). The third SSBN is near completion. It has already been given a beautiful title INS Aridhaman (meaning kill the adversary ruthlessly)
The main weapon system used by submarines are Torpedoes. They are conventional underwater missiles self-propelled fitted with High Explosive warheads. They are optically aimed and tracked at the target. Once launched will move towards target but mid course correction not possible and will explode on Impact/ proximity. French Exocet are a very effective Torpedoes. Conventional Submarines have mine laying capabilities also. Indian Arihant Class Submarines will be fitted with four Vertical Launch Cells for 12 X K 15 and 6X 533mm Torpedo Tubes (Sagarika) Nuclear warhead Missiles with about 750 to 1000 km range. Arighat and Aridhaman will be fitted with Kalam 4 Nuclear Missile with a range of 2000 kms. Longer range K 5 also under development which would cover entire Asia and part of Europe.
Indian Government has already approved various Submarine projects. Four Arihant class SSBNs under Project 76 (Two already commissioned, two under construction), Six nuclear powered submarines with conventional war heads (Project 77), 13 conventional foreign origin submarines under Project 75 and Seven under Project 75-I ( Indigenous design) and manufactured in India.
Presently 42 Countries of the world are operating conventional submarines There are only five nations operating SSBN (Nuclear powered submarines equipped with Nukes). These are USA , Great Britain, Russia, France and China. India made a forced entry and joined the elite club in 2016 with SSBN Arihant and now SSBN Arighat.
