Amid ongoing de-escalation with China and a diplomatic spat with Canada, India has quietly launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine.
The new indigenously built submarine is code-named S4*, and it is capable of launching nuclear-tipped missiles.
The country launched it first indigenous SSBN in 2009 and commissioned it in 2016.
Earlier this year, the Indian Navy inducted its second SSBN, INS Arighaat, on August 29, 2024. The third submarine, INS Aridaman, is expected to be commissioned in 2025.
The induction of INS Aridaman will mean that India’s second-strike nuclear capability will be fully operationalized by next year.
INS Aridaman aka Destroyer of Enemy is equipped with K-4 submarine-launched missiles that can travel 3,500 kilometers.
Meanwhile, INS Arihant and INS Aridaman are armed with K-15 missiles with a range of 750 kilometers, limiting their strike capability.
According to Hindustan Times, the S-4* was launched by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on October 16.
