New Delhi: India's second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat SSBN, is set to be commissioned on Thursday in Visakhapatnam, according to reports.

As per defense sources, preparations for the commissioning ceremony are nearing completion. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will oversee the commissioning of INS Arighat (S-3) in an event that would be attended by senior naval officials. The event will be attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Vice Admiral Suraj Berry of the Indian Strategic Command, and senior DRDO officials.

All About INS Arighat: India's Second Nuclear-Powered Submarine

INS Arighat is an advanced version of INS Arihant, India's first SSBN. INS Arighat's Induction will mark a significant enhancement in the country's naval capabilities, particularly in strategic nuclear deterrence. 

The submarine can achieve a maximum speed of 12-15 knots (22-28 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) underwater.

Similar to its elder sibling, INS Arihant, INS Arighat is equipped to carry up to four K-4 SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometers, or twelve K-15 SLBMs with a range of about 750 kilometers. The newly inducted submarine will be part of India's strategic command structure.

With INS Arihant's induction in the Indian Navy in 2009, India joined the select group of nations capable of launching nuclear strikes from sea, air, and land giving  a strategic advantage. 

The submarine has been under construction and undergoing testing since its launch in 2017 at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning of INS Arighat will mark a significant milestone in India's naval power and further strengthen the capabilities of the Indian Navy.

India's 'Nuclear Triad'

The Indian Navy intends to build five Arihant class submarines and six nuclear attack submarines by 2035–36, along with conventional vessels. The Indian Navy has effectively tested long-range nuclear missiles from two submarines, with plans to have two more in operation by 2035–36. INS Arighat will be added to enhance India's 'nuclear triad' alongside fully operational INS Arihant, which gained capability in 2018 to launch nuclear missiles from land, air, and sea.