India's 3rd nuke missile submarine Aridhaman,how it gives a boost to nuclear triad, & SSBN project

The Commissioning of INS Arihant 01:59

"India has just commissioned its third nuclear weapon submarine, INS Arihant."

• India has recently focused on strengthening its naval capabilities through the commissioning of its third nuclear weapon submarine (SSBN), known as INS Arihant.

• This submarine is a key component of India's strategic deterrent capabilities, specifically its nuclear triad, which is essential for national security.

• The term "Ari" means enemy, and all submarines in this series—Arihant, Arighat, and now Aridhaman—carry connotations of destruction towards foes.

Understanding SSBNs and SSNs 02:05

"There are two kinds of nuclear submarines, SSNs and SSBNs."

• The difference between SSNs (Submersible Ship Nuclear) and SSBNs (Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear) is crucial for understanding naval military capabilities.

• SSNs are conventional nuclear submarines that carry traditional weapons, whereas SSBNs operate with nuclear reactors and specifically carry nuclear ballistic missiles.

India’s Nuclear Triad and Deterrence Strategy 06:05

"A nuclear triad is essential to deterrence."

• The concept of a nuclear triad involves having multiple delivery systems for nuclear weapons in three dimensions: air, land, and sea.

• This strategy serves as a deterrent against adversaries, indicating that if one side uses nuclear weapons, the response will be overwhelming and catastrophic.

• India's no-first-use (NFU) doctrine emphasizes that it will not initiate a nuclear attack but will respond decisively to any nuclear aggression against it.

• To ensure a credible deterrent, India is also exploring further advancements in missile capabilities, including air-launched and train-launched missiles, which complicate targeting for potential adversaries.

Importance of Nuclear-Powered Submarines 11:07

"A surface ship carrying nuclear weapons is not your third dimension; it has to be something deep underwater."

• Nuclear-powered submarines (SSBNs) are crucial for a nuclear triad as they can operate stealthily underwater for extended periods, compared to surface ships which are easier to detect and track.

• SSBNs can remain submerged for months, limited only by food and human endurance, making them a formidable component of a nation's nuclear deterrent strategy.

Limitations of Conventional Submarines 11:41

"A conventional submarine has limitations to how much time it can remain underwater."

• Conventional submarines must surface or snorkel to recharge batteries and obtain oxygen, making them more vulnerable to detection.

• While new advancements like air-independent propulsion extend their submerged duration, they still cannot compete with the unlimited capability of nuclear-powered submarines.

India's SSBN Capabilities 12:23

"The current Indian SSBN, Ari Daman, runs on an 83 MW nuclear reactor."

• The Indian SSBN Ari Daman operates on a compact light water reactor, utilizing uranium that is not enriched for weaponization.

• India has developed its own uranium sources for military use, separating civil and military nuclear capabilities as per the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Operational Readiness and Deterrence 14:05

"For this to be credible, you have to have two or three of these boats underwater at any point of time."

• Maintaining a fleet of SSBNs increases the credibility of a nuclear deterrent, requiring continuous operational readiness through servicing and human recovery time.

• A target fleet size of five SSBNs ensures that at least three are operationally deployed at any time, enhancing the deterrent posture against potential aggressors.

Advancements in Indian Submarine Technology 16:37

"The Akula-class boat will be even more sophisticated as they come."

• The latest submarine, Ari Daman, has a displacement of 7,000 tons and can carry eight missile tubes, expanding its operational capabilities compared to previous models.

• Advancements in design and technology from various Indian companies have resulted in improvements in acoustic quietness and overall performance of the submarines.

Historical Context of India's Nuclear Submarine Program 20:58

"India started thinking of a nuclear weapon submarine in 1974 when Pokhran I took place."

• The initiation of Project 932 marked the beginning of India's pursuit of developing a nuclear submarine following the first nuclear test.

• Despite being initially labeled a peaceful nuclear explosion, this project laid the groundwork for India's strategic naval capabilities in the nuclear domain.

Development of India's Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV) 21:14

"George Fernandes, as India's Defense Minister, formally disclosed in Parliament in 1998 that India was working on its nuclear triad by building submarine capacity."

• The project that would later be known as the Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV) was initially shrouded in secrecy, with only a few details shared publicly before 1983.

• The concept gained official recognition when Defense Minister George Fernandes announced in 1998 that India was developing a nuclear submarine capacity as a part of its nuclear triad program.

• India officially became a nuclear weapons power in 1998, which highlighted the strategic importance of this project.

Timeline of Submarine Development 21:42

"It took over ten years from the announcement to the launch of the first SSBN, INS Arihant, which was launched in 2009."

• After the formal announcement, it took more than ten years for the first SSBN (Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear) to be launched, with INS Arihant being the pioneer, showcased in 2009 and quietly commissioned in 2016.

• The latest submarine, Aridhaman, was launched in 2021, highlighting a trend of accelerating development as earlier projections indicated a launch timeline of seven years now reduced to five.

Technological Significance of Aridhaman 23:04

"Building a nuclear reactor for a submarine is very complicated, and India has made rapid strides in mastering this technology."

• The construction of a nuclear reactor for a submarine is an intricate process that requires extensive technological knowledge and engineering capabilities.

• Aridhaman's launch signifies that India is now only the sixth country globally to possess the capability to build nuclear-powered submarines, enhancing its strategic deterrence alongside the P5 nations (the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK).

Future Submarine Projects and Challenges 24:06

"India is still a distance away from fully developing its own SSNs, with the first expected to be operational only between 2036 and 2037."

• Currently, India is progressing towards the development of its own SSNs (Conventional Submarines), which are non-nuclear powered but still nuclear-capable, with budget approvals and initial work underway.

• Despite prior experience in operating leased SSNs from Russia, which are run by the Indian Navy, there's a critical distinction as the SSBNs fall under the Strategic Forces Command, indicating their role as strategic assets separate from conventional naval operations.

• The timeline for the completion of the upcoming SSNs reflects the complexity of nuclear submarine engineering, projecting their completion to be many years away.