Successful SLBM launch By Nuclear-Powered INS Arihant

INS Arihant, India’s Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine, successfully launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile on Friday (SLBM). The SSBN programme, a key component of India’s nuclear deterrence capacity, said the test is vital for the programme.

The missile hit the target region in the Bay of Bengal with a high degree of precision after being tested to a predetermined range. According to a press release from the MoD on Friday, “all operational and technological aspects of the weapon system have been certified.”

“The SLBM user training launch by INS Arihant, which was successful, is vital to demonstrate crew competency and validate the SSBN programme, a crucial component of India’s nuclear deterrence capacity. The statement from the ministry said, “A strong, resilient, and assured retaliatory capacity is consistent with India’s objective to have ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence’ that supports its ‘No First Use’ commitment.

India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile capability submarine, INS Arihant, was commissioned in 2016 and is part of the SSBN programme. For submarines that can carry ballistic missiles with nuclear propulsion, the hull classification symbol is SSBN. Strategic Forces Command, a division of India’s Nuclear Command Authority, is in charge of the SLBMs launched from the SSBN.

According to officials, having the ability to fire nuclear bombs from submarines is crucial for completing a nuclear triad, particularly in light of India’s “no first use” policy.

The K-family missiles are a family of indigenously created submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) that bear Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s name. Dr. Abdul Kalam was a key role in India’s missile and space programmes and the country’s eleventh president.

The K-15, also known as Sagarika, is a missile that has been created within the SLBM family and has a range of at least 750 kilometres.

The 3,500 km-range K-4 missiles from the same family have also been created and tested by India. There are allegedly more K-family members on cards with greater ranges.

INS Arihant was launched in 2009 and commissioned in 2016. The following ship in the line, INS Arighat, is alleged to have been launched in 2017 and to have been going through sea testing.

According to satellite imaging sources and a December 2021 story from the UK’s Janes Defence Weekly, India launched its third Arihant class submarine some time in November.