INS Arisudan To Strengthen India’s Nuclear Deterrence

Why in the News?

India’s fourth Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), launched as S4*, is likely to be named INS Arisudan. Its induction will significantly enhance India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence and reinforce the nuclear triad, while also considering environmental impact assessments in its development process. The project adheres to the precautionary principle, ensuring a pollution-free environment during construction and operation.

INS Arisudan And Arihant-Class Submarines:

• The Arihant class represents India’s indigenously developed nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), with environmental clearances being a crucial part of their construction process. The project follows the EIA notification guidelines to minimize ecological impact.
• Existing boats include INS Arihant, INS Arighaat, INS Aridhaman, and the proposed INS Arisudan — all meaning “destroyer of enemies”.
• The fourth submarine S4* was launched in October 2024 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and is expected to be commissioned by 2027, following rigorous environmental impact assessments and adherence to the Forest Conservation Act and Coastal Regulation Zone regulations.
• INS Arisudan will be larger by nearly 1,000 tonnes compared to INS Arihant, necessitating additional environmental considerations and potentially retrospective environmental clearances to ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
• While INS Arihant carries K-15 (750 km) nuclear missiles, the subsequent submarines are expected to deploy K-4 missiles (3,500 km range) under trials by DRDO and Strategic Forces Command, with a focus on maintaining a pollution-free environment during operations.

Strategic Importance In Nuclear Triad

• Submarine-based deterrence is the most potent leg of India’s nuclear triad (land, air, sea), with environmental democracy playing a role in public awareness of these capabilities. The development process incorporates the polluter pays principle to address any potential environmental impacts.
• SSBNs provide a credible second-strike capability, essential for India’s No First Use (NFU) nuclear doctrine, while adhering to environmental clearance processes and the precautionary principle.
• Unlike India and China, Pakistan follows a first-use nuclear doctrine, increasing the relevance of survivable deterrents and the need for environmental impact assessments in submarine development.
• Nuclear submarines offer stealth, survivability, and unlimited operational range, crucial for deterrent patrols and sea denial in the Indo-Pacific, with ongoing efforts to minimize their environmental footprint in accordance with the Vanashakti judgment on sustainable development.
• India’s long-term plans include indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) under Project-77, approved in October 2024, along with a likely Akula-class SSN lease from Russia by 2028, all subject to stringent environmental clearances and ex-post facto assessments where necessary.