Indian Navy Targets 80% Operational Readiness for Growing SSBN Fleet as 3rd Indigenous Nuclear Sub Induction Looms Later This Year

India's strategic naval capabilities are poised for a significant enhancement as the Indian Navy prepares to commission its third domestically built nuclear-powered submarine carrying ballistic missiles (SSBN) later in 2025.

This development, expected to be followed by the induction of a fourth submarine in 2026, marks substantial progress in strengthening the sea-based component of India's nuclear triad.

To support this growing fleet, which includes the operational INS Arihant and INS Arighat, the Navy and associated defence maintenance facilities are focusing intensely on achieving high levels of operational availability.

Sources closely involved with naval strategic planning indicate a specific objective: ensuring that at least 80% of the SSBN fleet is ready for immediate combat deployment if required.

This readiness rate aims to permit the continuous deployment of two submarines at sea, underpinning India's stated nuclear doctrine of possessing a credible second-strike capability.

Such a capability is vital for nuclear deterrence, assuring retaliation even if attacked first. The overall command and control of these strategic assets fall under India's Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

Furthermore, the Indian Navy has developed contingency strategies for situations demanding increased vigilance. In scenarios involving heightened threat levels, plans are in place to deploy up to three SSBNs concurrently.

This capacity significantly boosts the survivability of India's underwater nuclear deterrent and demonstrates the Navy's advancing expertise in managing sophisticated operations involving nuclear assets.

While advanced plans for the next generation of larger and potentially more capable S5-class SSBNs exist, these future platforms are projected to be more than ten years away from entering service.

Consequently, the Navy's primary strategic focus for the upcoming 15 years will be on effectively operating and maintaining the fleet comprising the four Arihant-class SSBNs (S2, S3, S4, and S4*). The third boat, designated S4, reportedly commenced sea trials in late 2024.

Maintaining the targeted 80% operational readiness is a complex undertaking. It requires consistent, high-quality maintenance cycles, reliable logistical chains, rigorous crew training programs, and continuous readiness assessments.

Achieving minimal downtime between patrols necessitates close collaboration and integration between naval fleet commands, defence shipyards responsible for upkeep, and specialised technical support units.

India's current Arihant-class SSBNs provide a formidable and survivable deterrent platform, capable of launching nuclear-tipped Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) like the 750-km range K-15 Sagarika and the 3,500-km range K-4.

With the addition of the third and fourth submarines in the near future, India moves closer to establishing a robust Continuous At-Sea Deterrence (CASD) posture, mirroring the practices of other major nuclear powers who maintain constant, undetectable SSBN patrols.

 

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[Anant]

With four SSBNs, having two at sea at all times isn't practically possible. The best that can be done is to have one at sea and a second one ready for deployment, as has been suggested by the UK CASD program.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

India has larger seas and Oceans. So, I think, atleast 4 SSBN for Arabian sea and 4 for BoB will be needed.

 

[Rational Guy]

With four SSBNs, having two at sea at all times isn't practically possible. The best that can be done is to have one at sea and a second one ready for deployment, as has been suggested by the UK CASD program.

What about other two?

Two at sea and two at maintainance is likely.

Minimum for one being deployed only is 3 not 4. Else Frenchies would've had more than 4 SSBNs.

 

[Rational Guy]

India has larger seas and Oceans. So, I think, atleast 4 SSBN for Arabian sea and 4 for BoB will be needed.

4 Arihant class and 3 S5 are enough. SSBN primary purpose is second strike capability, not sea denial which is SSN SSK job. For second strike capability number of missiles per submarine, number of warheads per missile and range of missiles matters more.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to manufacture more SSBN and we need them to be much larger which can hold more nuclear missiles with a longer range. This will allow us the opportunity to launch and hit multiple targets at the same time. However we need to have more than 2 submarines out there because we need to cover the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea which is a lot to cover with just 2 submarines.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

4 Arihant class and 3 S5 are enough. SSBN primary purpose is second strike capability, not sea denial which is SSN SSK job. For second strike capability number of missiles per submarine, number of warheads per missile and range of missiles matters more.

It's not enough. We need 8 SSBN, 2 each for Arabian Sea and BoB, while another 2 is under maintenance in dry dock. And 2 or 1 for IO.

 

[Anant]

What about other two?

Two at sea and two at maintainance is likely.

Minimum for one being deployed only is 3 not 4. Else Frenchies would've had more than 4 SSBNs.

The idea with 4 SSBNs is that you will always have one at sea, one ready to go to sea or working up after a refit, one in refit, and one working down to enter a refit.

The Brits have maintained a continuous at-sea deterrence through always having a SSBN at sea since 1969, and they have done so using 4 SSBNs.

Now, in theory, you can have 2 SSBNs at sea most of the time with 3 SSBNs, but that will cause a far higher rate of wear and tear.

As for the French, their reason for having 4 SSBNs is due to warhead numbers, as they also maintain air-launched warheads. They do not keep a continuous deterrence.

 

[Anant]

It's not enough. We need 8 SSBN, 2 each for Arabian Sea and BoB, while another 2 is under maintenance in dry dock. And 2 or 1 for IO.

That isn't how SSBNs work. For a nation like India, given our main focus area of the IOR, 4-5 SSBNs is sufficient. Any more is added capability.