India has recently marked a significant milestone in its defense capabilities with the low-profile launch of its indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), designated S-4. Reports in the public domain indicate that this event took place at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, representing the fourth SSBN in India’s growing fleet. The launch follows the inauguration of a Very Low Frequency (VLF) naval communication station in Telangana, aimed at bolstering submarine communication capabilities, an essential element for strategic operations.
During a media interaction in New Delhi, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan acknowledged the ongoing success of India’s submarine program without confirming specific details about the S-4. He stated, “We can only tell you that we have a sustained and very successful program underway. We are making good progress. The first submarine has been commissioned and is in service, and the second submarine has also been commissioned. Naturally, more submarines will follow. As for the submarine you’re asking about, it’s a good submarine which is going on well.”
Currently, the Indian Navy operates two SSBNs: INS Arihant and INS Arighat, both of which are engaged in deep-sea patrols. The newly launched S-4 is equipped with K-4 ballistic missiles capable of striking targets up to 3,500 kilometers away. This development significantly enhances India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities and positions it strategically within the Indo-Pacific region.
The launch of the S-4 submarine occurs shortly after India commissioned INS Arighat on August 29, while the third submarine, INS Aridaman, is anticipated to enter service in 2025. In a parallel effort to strengthen its maritime defense, the Cabinet Committee on Security recently approved plans for the Indian Navy to construct two additional nuclear-powered attack submarines, further enhancing India’s deterrence posture against potential adversaries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
In contrast, China has been rapidly expanding its own fleet of nuclear submarines. The Chinese navy currently operates multiple classes of SSBNs, including the Jin-class (Type 094), which are equipped with the JL-2 ballistic missiles, boasting a range of approximately 4,000 kilometers. This places China in a robust position regarding nuclear deterrence capabilities. China’s significant investments in submarine technology reflect its strategic ambition in regional and global contexts, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
India’s efforts to enhance its naval capabilities through the development of its SSBN fleet are critical as it seeks to maintain strategic stability and deter potential threats. As both nations continue to develop their underwater capabilities, the balance of power in the region remains a focal point of international security dynamics.