The Indian Navy is on the brink of commissioning INS Aridhaman, the nation’s third indigenously built nuclear-powered submarine. This announcement was made by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, who emphasized the submarine’s role in significantly enhancing India’s underwater strike capabilities and overall survivability, which in turn bolsters the country’s nuclear deterrence posture. Currently, INS Aridhaman is in the final stages of trials, paving the way for its operational deployment.
INS Aridhaman’s advanced features enable it to carry longer-range missiles, thereby expanding the Navy’s strategic reach. Its forthcoming induction is not merely a technological achievement but also represents a major milestone in India’s ongoing quest for self-reliance in defense technology as well as the development of a state-of-the-art submarine fleet.
In a notable update on inclusivity within the Navy, Admiral Tripathi also announced ongoing initiatives to induct women submariners into the Indian Navy. This progressive step reflects the Navy’s commitment to fostering gender diversity within its ranks.
The looming commissioning of INS Aridhaman comes on the heels of the induction of the second Arihant-class submarine, INS Arighaat, which was commissioned on August 29, 2024, at Visakhapatnam. Both submarines are products of sophisticated design and manufacturing technologies, utilizing specialized materials and complex engineering principles, underscored by extensive research and development.
In addition to these advancements, Admiral Tripathi reported that since the last Navy Day, the Navy has successfully commissioned 12 warships, including INS Vaghsheer and INS Uday Giri—marking the 100th indigenously designed warship produced by the Warship Design Bureau. These significant developments highlight India’s escalating capabilities in maritime self-reliance and operational readiness, establishing a stronger foothold in the defense sector.
