SLBM launched from INS Arihant

On October 14 this year, INS Arihant has successfully launched a nuclear-capable Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) in Bay of Bengal.

Key facts

• The Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) was tested from India’s first indigenous Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine INS Arihant.
• The recent missile test is an important element of India’s nuclear ballistic submarine (SSBN) programme, which is playing an important role in ensuring India’s nuclear deterrence capability.
• The ability to launch nuclear weapons from submarines is critical for achieving nuclear triad – the three-pronged military force structure having the capability to launch nuclear missiles from land, aircraft and submarines.
• Nuclear weapons submarine platforms significantly boosts India’s second strike capability, which is critical for the “No First Use” policy adopted by the Central Government
• This capability strengthens nuclear deterrence since these submarines can survive the first nuclear strike and launch retaliatory strikes. This creates “Credible Nuclear Deterrence” for India.
• This is important, especially with Pakistan and China being nuclear weapon states.

What is SLBM?

The SLBMs are sometimes known as K family of missiles – codenamed after APJ Adbul Kalam, who played a major role in the development of missiles in India. They were developed by the DRDO. The recent testing of the SLBM from INS Arihant validated all the operational and technological parameters of the missile.

About INS Arihant

INS Arihant is a nuclear powered ballistic missile-capable submarine indigenously developed by India. Commissioned in 2016, it was developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, which was launched in the 1990s. INS Arihant and its class of submarines are classified as SSBN (Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarines) – the hull classification symbol signifying submarines carrying nuclear powered ballistic missiles. While the submarine is operated by the Indian Navy, the operations of SLBMs from the SSBN comes under the control of India’s Strategic Forces Command, which is part of the Nuclear Command Authority of India.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2022

Category: Defence Current Affairs