NEWS  – India launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) on October 22, 2024, at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam

ABOUT THE SUBMARINE

• The fourth SSBN is codenamed S4*.
• It features nearly 75% indigenous content, showcasing India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

• K-4 ballistic missiles, with a range of 3,500 km, are the main armament. These missiles are launched through vertical launching systems.
• The K-4 missile is a significant upgrade compared to the K-15 missiles (750 km range) carried by INS Arihant.

SSBNs

• These submarines are designed to provide a reliable second-strike capability and underpin strategic nuclear deterrence via the principle of mutual assured destruction.

CLASSIFICATION

• India’s SSBNs follow a naming convention based on S-series:
  • S1: India’s first leased nuclear attack submarine, INS Chakra.
  • S2: INS Arihant.
  • S3: INS Arighaat.
  • S4: INS Aridhaman.
  • S4*: The newly launched submarine, with the formal name yet to be given.

FEATURES

• SSBNs are operated by only six countries: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and India.
• SSBNs provide second-strike capability, ensuring the survivability of nuclear weapons in case of a first-strike by an adversary.
• This aligns with the principle of mutual assured destruction, a core concept in strategic deterrence.
• SSBNs have unlimited range and endurance, limited only by food supplies, crew fatigue, and maintenance requirements.