India’s third Arihant-class SSBN INS Aridhaman and fourth Nilgiri-class frigate INS Taragiri were commissioned on April 3 at Visakhapatnam by defence minister Rajnath Singh.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh posted a cryptic tweet translating to “It’s not words but power, Aridhaman!”. Multiple Indian media confirmed that the submarine was inducted. However, there was no official confirmation regarding the commissioning of Aridhaman.
The frigate Taragiri was commissioned at the naval base in Visakhapatnam which hosts India’s SSBN construction center as well as the base for SSBNs. Aridhaman is India’s third SSBN and is longer than the first two submarines. The additional length accommodates eight launch tubes compared to the four tubes on the first two SSBNs. These tubes are intended for the K-4 SLBM and each tube can also accommodate three shorter range K-15 SLBMs.
Taragiri is the fourth Nilgiri-class P-17A frigate to be commissioned and was built by Mazagon Docks. Nilgiri class consists of seven ships, with four ships by Mazagon Docks and three by GRSE. All ships of the class are expected to be delivered to the Navy this year. The 6,700 ton frigates feature CODOG propulsion. Armament includes eight BrahMoscruise missiles and 32 MRSAM surface to air missiles along with a 76mm SRGM, torpedoes and other armament. The class will bolster the strength of the Eastern Fleet. A follow-on project for seven P-17B frigates is also underway.
In the last two days of March, multiple shipbuilding projects crossed various milestones. This included the delivery of three vessels to the Navy: the fifth Nilgiri-class vessel Dunagiri and the fourth and last Survey Vessel Large Sanshodhak, both built by GRSE as well as Malwan, the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). Further, the first of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), named Shachi, was launched by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
Survey Vessel Large is built by GRSE and will be followed by a five ship Next Generation Survey Vessel project. These will be built by CSL. ASW SWC consists of sixteen vessels with eight each built by CSL and GRSE.
Aridhaman, also referred to as S4, will be followed by S4* which will be the final SSBN of the Arihant-class. S4* is undergoing sea trials. The next generation of Indian SSBNs, called S5, is currently under development.