India’s third home-grown N-sub commissioned; Rajnath also launches stealth frigate, large cavitation tunnel facility at Vizag | India News

New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s “second-strike capability”, the country’s third indigenously-built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman, was commissioned into the Navy on Friday, an official source confirmed to TOI.The commissioning of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), part of the Classified Advanced Technology Ship project, has not been announced. However, sources confirmed that INS Aridhaman was launched at a Visakhapatnam event attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.A cryptic post on Rajnath’s X on Friday morning is seen by many as confirmation. “Shabda Nahi Shakti Hai, ‘Aridhaman’! (It’s not a word, it’s Shakti, ‘Aridhaman’!)”, the minister posted.INS Aridhaman has a 7,000-tonne displacement (1,000 tonnes more than its predecessors) and is powered by an 83 MW compact light water reactor. With a length of 130-metres, the submarine is designed for enhanced stealth and will augment India’s nuclear triad. Equipped with eight vertical launch system tubes (compared to 4 in the earlier model), INS Aridhaman is capable of carrying 24 K-15 Sagarika missiles (750 km range) or eight K-4 missiles (3,500 km range).India’s first indigenously built nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, was launched in July 2009 and quietly commissioned in 2016, while the SSBN INS Arighat was commissioned in August 2024.At Visakhapatnam, Rajnath also launched the fourth Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) warship INS Taragiri, an indigenously developed 6,670-tonne stealth frigate. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, INS Taragiri represents a generational leap over the previous design as it has a significantly reduced radar cross-section that allows it to operate with deadly stealth.Rajnath also laid the foundation stone of a large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) facility at DRDO’s Naval Science and Technology Lab in Visakhapatnam. This facility will significantly enhance India’s naval research and testing capabilities. “It will serve as a foundation for the design and development of submarines and ships, supporting future advancements in naval engineering and maritime defense systems,” the minister said.Rajnath said that “95% of our trade is by sea, energy security also depends on this route. So a strong navy is not an option but a basic need. The commissioning of INS Taragiri shows India’s growing indigenous strength and growing ‘self-reliance’ in the sector. Be it for the Persian Gulf necklace or the Persian Gulf, Rajnath said. Even aid during a humanitarian crisis.““There are numerous sensitive points across the vast expanse of sea, where our Navy continuously maintains an active presence to ensure smooth flow of goods,” Rajnath said. “Whenever the tension breaks out, that’s it Indian Navy Measures to ensure safety of commercial ships and oil tankers. It is not only protecting India’s national interests, it is also ready to take all necessary measures to protect our citizens and global trade routes. It is this capability that firmly establishes India as a responsible and strong maritime power,” he said.