News Desk
New Delhi — As geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean intensifies, India is set to commission its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) this year, bolstering its underwater deterrence capabilities at a time when China is expanding its maritime influence in the region.
The new submarine, INS Aridhaman, has been undergoing trials for nearly three years and is expected to formally enter service in 2025, military sources said. It will join INS Arihant and INS Arighat, the two existing SSBNs in India’s fleet. However, India’s first nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) are still at least a decade away.
The timing of India’s naval expansion is significant. The Indian Ocean, a critical conduit for global trade and energy shipments, has become a key theater in China’s maritime strategy. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, already the world’s largest, has prioritized submarine modernization, operating six SSBNs, six SSNs, and 48 diesel-powered submarines. Beijing has also strengthened security ties with several Indian Ocean nations and expanded its naval presence through infrastructure projects, including its military base in Djibouti and port access in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
India, which has long positioned itself as the dominant regional power in the Indian Ocean, views these developments with concern. Officials have repeatedly pointed to China’s growing footprint in the region, warning of “strategic encirclement”. The Indian Navy is also closely monitoring the Pakistan Navy’s modernization, aided by Beijing’s supply of warships, submarines, and other naval assets.
The deployment of INS Aridhaman will enhance India’s second-strike nuclear capability, ensuring a credible deterrence posture against both China and Pakistan. It also signals New Delhi’s commitment to countering Beijing’s maritime ambitions in what is increasingly seen as a crucial battleground for influence in the Indo-Pacific.
