INS Arihant

Recently, INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM).

About India’s nuclear programme

In 1998, India conducted nuclear tests under Pokhran-II.
In 2003, India declared its nuclear doctrine based on the No First Use policy while reserving the right of massive retaliation if struck with nuclear weapons first.
The Agni series of missiles constitute the backbone of India’s nuclear weapons delivery, which also includes the Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles.
The Agni series of missiles are medium and intercontinental-range nuclear-capable ballistic assets.

About INS Arihant

It was launched in 2009 and commissioned in 2016.
It is India’s first indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile capable submarine built under the secretive Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, which was initiated in the 1990s.
INS Arihant and its class of submarines are classified as ‘SSBN’, which is the hull classification symbol for nuclear-powered ballistic missile-carrying submarines.
While the Navy operates the vessel, the operations of the SLBMs from the SSBN are under the purview of India’s Strategic Forces Command, which is part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority.
INS Arihant is presently armed with K-15 SLBM with a range of 750 km.
INS Arihant can carry a dozen K-15 missiles on board.

Do you know?

The second submarine in the Arihant class is SSBN Alright.
It is reported to have been launched in 2017 and is said to be undergoing sea trials at present.

The Missile

The Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) are sometimes called the ‘K’ family of missiles.
They have been indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The family is codenamed after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the central figure in India’s missile and space programmes who also served as the 11th President of India.
Because these missiles are to be launched from submarines, they are lighter, more compact and stealthier than their land-based counterparts.
The development of the K family missiles has been done in consonance with the ATV project.
Part of the K family is the SLBM K-15, which is also called B-05 or Sagarika. It has a range of 750 km.
India has also developed and successfully tested K-4 missiles from the family, which have a range of 3,500 km.

Significance

Nuclear triad:

The capability of being able to launch nuclear weapons submarine platforms has great strategic significance in the context of achieving a nuclear triad, especially in the light of the “No First Use” policy of India.

Second strike capability:

These submarines can not only survive a first strike by the adversary but can also launch a strike in retaliation, thus achieving ‘Credible Nuclear Deterrence’.

China and Pakistan factor:

The development of these capabilities is important in light of India’s relations with China and Pakistan.

Formation Day

03 Dec, 25
SHARE

On 1st November, eight Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu—along with five Union Territories—Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry—celebrate their Formation Day. This date marks an important milestone in India

Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Kachhua Sanctuary, is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. It is recognised as India’s first freshwater turtle wildlife sanctuary, established to conserve endangered turtle species and support the ecological health of the Ganga River. Location and Extent The sanctuary co

Introduction of AI and Computational Thinking (CT) in

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The Ministry of Education plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) from Class 3 onwards in the 2026–27 academic year. This initiative is part of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The aim is to prepare student

Sal Tree

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

Scientists from the Environment Department of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla have recently revealed that the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the most effective natural air purifier for combating rising pollution levels. Their findings highlight the tree’s superior capacity to trap dust, absorb gases, and cleanse the air compared

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

02 Dec, 25
SHARE

The President of the United States has ordered the resumption of nuclear weapon testing after a gap of 33 years, the last test being in 1992. This decision marks a significant shift in global nuclear policy and has far-reaching implications for geopolitics, the environment, and international security. Status of Global Nuclear Weapon Testing