India’s fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)

23.10.2024

India’s fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)

Why in the news?             

               India quietly launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, enhancing its nuclear deterrence capabilities.

About India’s fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN):

• The fourth SSBN is codenamed S4*.
• It boasts nearly 75 percent indigenous content and is equipped with K-4 ballistic missiles, which have a range of 3,500 km and are fired through vertical launching systems.
• While the first of its class, INS Arihant carries 750 km range K-15 nuclear missiles, its successors, INS Arighaat and INS Aridhaman, are all upgrades of the previous ones and carry only K-4 ballistic missiles.
• The launch of S4* follows the commissioning of INS Arighaat in August 2024, and the INS Aridhaman is set for commissioning next year. Both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat are already on deep sea patrols.
• Naming: Since national security planners named India’s first leased nuclear attack submarine INS Chakra as S1, INS Arihant was named S2, INS Arighaat S3, INS Aridhaman S4 and hence the newly launched one is the last of its class, S4* with the formal name yet to be given.

Key facts about SSBN:

• SSBN stands for "Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear".
• SSBNs are a potent and highly specialized military asset. Operated by only the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and India, these are armed with submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles.
• These submarines are designed to provide a reliable second-strike capability and underpin strategic nuclear deterrence via the principle of mutual assured destruction.
• With unlimited range and endurance, the SSBN is constrained only by food supplies, crew fatigue, and maintenance.

                                                                 Source: Hindustan Times

With reference to nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), consider the following statements:

1. INS Vikrant

2. INS Arihant

3. INS Shivalik

4. INS Arighaat

5. INS Aridhaman

How many of the above are India’s SSBNs?

A.Only two

B.Only three

C.Only four

D.All five

Answer B