- Overview: India’s second Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat, successfully completed its maiden deterrence patrol, solidifying India’s nuclear triad and second-strike capability.
- Key Points:
- Triad Completion: Reinforces India’s credible minimum deterrence doctrine by ensuring a robust, survivable sea-based nuclear retaliatory strike capability.
- Strategic Footprint: Capable of carrying K-15 (Sagarika) and the advanced K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), effectively bringing hostile strategic assets within range.
- Indo-Pacific Power Projection: Elevates India’s naval stature in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) amidst growing extra-regional naval footprints.
- Classified Technology: Showcases advanced indigenous miniaturized Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) technology developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Source Link: Indian Navy Strategic Command
- Q2. The ‘K-4’ missile, intended to be armed on Arihant-class submarines, is a:
- A) Supersonic anti-ship cruise missile
- B) Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM)
- C) Short-range torpedo decoy
- D) Surface-to-Air point defense missile
