New Delhi: India tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from its indigenous INS Arihant nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).
On October 14, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced that the INS Arihant, which means “destroyer of enemies” in Sanskrit, successfully tested an SLBM, firing the missile at a predetermined range and impacting the designated target area at the Bay of Bengal with “very high accuracy,” The Indian Express reported.
“All operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated,” said the Indian MoD in a press statement.
“The successful user training launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is significant to prove crew competency and validate the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program, a key element of India’s nuclear deterrence capability,” the statement said. “A robust, survivable, and assured retaliatory capability is in keeping with India’s policy to have ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence’ that underpins its ‘No First Use’ commitment.”
This successful launch builds on previous 2018, 2016 and 2015 tests. Although India did not identify the exact missile in the latest test, it was most likely the Sagarika SLBM. According to Global Security, the Sagarika has a range of 700 kilometers and can carry a 1-ton warhead. It notes that India tested unarmed Sagarika missiles from the INS Arihant in 2016 and 2015.
As of 2022, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) reports that India operates three Arihant-class SSBNs, with the lead boat INS Arihant commissioned in 2016 and the soon-to-be INS Arighat launched in 2017 and still undergoing advanced sea trials. India reportedly launched the third boat last November with little public fanfare.
ORF notes that India requires at least four SSBNs and enough SLBMs to maintain a credible undersea nuclear deterrent, although technical difficulties may delay this project. Such challenges include miniaturizing nuclear reactors for naval use and ensuring enough room for missiles aboard the submarines.
In addition, ORF notes that the Sagarika’s relatively short range of 700 kilometers compared to other SLBMs means the INS Arihant must maneuver close to enemy waters to launch the missiles. This necessity exposes the submarine to enemy attack and negates the logic of having an undetectable undersea nuclear deterrent.
However, India is developing longer-ranged SLBMs to eliminate the handicap. The Hindu reported that India tested the 3,500-kilometer range K-4 SLBM in 2020. Quoting an anonymous source, The Hindu stated that “the test was conducted from a submerged pontoon and has met the desired parameters,” with a pontoon simulating a submarine launch.
The anonymous source also stated that the most challenging part of the test was ejecting the missile from a submerged platform and that the K-4 has a smaller Circular Error Probability (CEP) than China’s missiles, meaning that it has superior accuracy.
India’s SLBM test comes as arch-rival Pakistan and long-term threat China are diversifying their nuclear launch platforms and boosting their respective nuclear arsenals.
Courtesy: Asia Times
