On Friday, the INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear submarine of homegrown design, successfully launched a ballistic missile. According to a statement from the Ministry of Defense, news agency ANI stated that the missile test to a predetermined range resulted in a highly accurate impact in the target area in the Bay of Bengal, validating all operational and technological parameters.
The successful SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) user training launch by INS Arihant is significant for demonstrating crew competency and validating the SSBN (Sub Surface Ballistic Nuclear) programme, which is an essential part of India’s nuclear deterrence capability, the Ministry of External Affairs further stated, according to ANI.
According to the ministry, the test supports India’s commitment to “No First Use.”
According to the Defense Ministry, it is consistent with India’s aim to have “Credible Minimum Deterrence” that supports its “No First Use” commitment to have a powerful, robust, and assured reprisal capability.
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: Defence Ministry
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2022
According to a report by The Hindu, the building, commissioning, testing, and status of the SSBNs are directly under the authority of the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) or Strategic Nuclear Command (SNC).
INS Arihant is a 6,000-ton submarine that is 110 metres long and 11 metres wide. According to Indian Express, the ship can transport 12 Sagarika K 15 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with a range of more than 700 miles.