New Delhi: India is preparing to add a significant new asset to its strategic deterrence fleet, with Navy Chief Admiral D.K. Tripathi confirming on Tuesday that the country’s third indigenously developed nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), Aridaman, will be commissioned “very soon.”
The new vessel will join INS Arihant and INS Arighat, the two SSBNs already in service. These submarines form the maritime leg of India’s nuclear triad and are designed to remain hidden underwater for extended durations, ensuring a survivable retaliatory capability in keeping with New Delhi’s no–first-use nuclear doctrine.
In addition to its SSBN fleet, India is also working toward bolstering its underwater strike capability by leasing another nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) from Russia. Though nuclear-fuelled, the vessel will be armed with conventional weapons, and sources familiar with the arrangement expect its arrival by 2027.
Operation Sindoor Still Underway
Admiral Tripathi also provided updates on Operation Sindoor, the high-intensity naval posture that began earlier this year. Recalling the period between May 7 and 10, he said the deployment of India’s carrier battle group and accompanying assets effectively pushed the Pakistan Navy toward its coastline.
“Our operational tempo has been uncompromising across the entire area of interest,” he stated, noting that India’s maritime domain awareness ensured Pakistani warships did not attempt to break out during that window.
When asked about the possibility of retaliation, the Admiral said the Navy observed no such indicators. “Their maritime patrol aircraft and other critical assets remained grounded. We assessed no credible chance of escalation,” he added.
He also said there was no visible Chinese involvement supporting Pakistan during the operation, though Islamabad continues to employ several Chinese-origin platforms.
Jointness, Shipbuilding and Regional Surveillance
Highlighting increased coordination among India’s three armed services, the Navy Chief said national security leadership displayed “complete synergy” during Operation Sindoor, reflecting the ongoing push toward joint operational structures.
On the indigenous shipbuilding front, Tripathi reported that 51 vessels are currently under construction at Indian shipyards. The Defence Ministry has additionally cleared proposals for 47 more warships, which are now in various stages of approval.
Responding to concerns over the growing presence of Chinese research ships in the Indian Ocean Region, the Admiral struck a measured tone. “We monitor all movements in the region. There is no cause for alarm, but we maintain full awareness of their activities,” he said.
With Aridaman nearing induction and large-scale naval expansion underway, India is set to further consolidate its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific as it marks Navy Day on December 4 — commemorating the 1971 naval attack on Karachi that remains one of the most daring operations in Indian maritime history.
