Satellite Images Reveal Larger, More Powerful Indian Nuclear Submarine

Satellite imagery reveals the latest addition to India's growing fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) in an advanced stage of construction.

Codenamed S4, this powerful submarine represents a significant upgrade over its predecessors in the Arihant class and underscores India's determination to strengthen its strategic defense capabilities.

Analysts are carefully studying the new images of the S4, which appears visibly larger than its sister vessels. This size difference suggests a greater capacity to carry submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

While the exact number of missiles remains classified, experts speculate the S4 may be equipped with a substantially increased arsenal compared to earlier Arihant-class submarines.

It could potentially carry as many as 24 K-15 missiles (with a range of 1,000 km ) or 8 K-4 missiles (with a range of 3,500 km).

The S4 is not alone; another Arihant-class submarine known as S4* is also under construction. These vessels likely will accommodate both K-15 and K-4 missiles, offering valuable strategic flexibility to the Indian Navy.

According to defense analysts, this development aligns with India's commitment to achieving a nuclear triad –the ability to launch nuclear strikes by land, air, and sea– a standard for major nuclear powers.

Construction of the S4 began quietly in November 2021, and it's expected to be completed around 2024. Following this, the submarine will undergo rigorous sea trials, weapons tests, and eventual commissioning into the Indian Navy.

India's Arihant-class submarines, including the S4, are supported by large-scale investments in command and control systems, hardened bases, and support vessels.

The expansion of this naval force marks India's commitment to a robust and modernized national defense strategy.

 

[Joydeep Ghosh]

there is no s4*

 

[GMR]

Can one enlighten, why S4 is still in dry dock if it has been launched?

 

[Devarpan Bhattacharjee]

there is no s4*

So you say satellite images are wrong?.....maybe navy doesn't reveal all it has

 

[Anant]

there is no s4*

On the contrary, S4* is very much a reality. While not originally planned, the additional submarine was authorised due to delays in the 190 MW reactor development for the S5-class.

 

[Hari Sud]

Carry on and my wish that you are successful.

 

[SK]

This is a good news that IN should be focused more on SSBNs & SSNs rather than SSKs.

I hope that IN will consider to invest in:-

1. Additional 3 to 6 Kalvari-SSKs with DRDO's AIP system & cancel Project P-75I
2. Project P-76 => Scalabe SSK design to develop SSKs in a Displacement range from 1500 to 4,000 tonnes

 

[Sharvesh M]

Can one enlighten, why S4 is still in dry dock if it has been launched?

last stage finishes... may be...
sea trial might be around the corner

 

[Sandeep]

This will be very good news if they deploy them as soon as possible so they can be used against China mainly. These last two bigger submarines should hold more longer range missiles to protect the submarine from having to sail too close and being detected.

At the same time they start constructing the S5 nuclear submarines which will be even larger and hold more types of missiles and powerful engine which should be the mainstay size and backbone of our nuclear ballistic submarines. We should also start constructing our nuclear attack submarines which are crucial and it's good they have designed it but they are lagging in constructing them which is what we need. We should be constructing all types and variants at the same time to cut down on long delays so they need to increase the number of production lines.

Another crucial requirement and necessity is to not construct them out in the open for our enemies to study the threat and technology they face which gives them time to neutralise any military advantage we do have over them. This mistake should never of happened at all and should remain hidden at all times.

 

[Sridhar]

there is no s4*

How do you say so ?

 

[Sridhar]

Hope the SLBM missiles will be ready by the time the sub is ready .

 

[PRASANTh]

Some of the navy officers should go on deputation to IA and IAF to teach them some common sense....
Navy seems to be the neglected middle child, but doing smart stuff.

 

[common man]

Some of the navy officers should go on deputation to IA and IAF to teach them some common sense....
Navy seems to be the neglected middle child, but doing smart stuff.

S4 is already in service as wikipedia says.

 

[kumar]

Hope next SSBNs will have k5 loadout. Can be true game changer against chinese.

 

[desigandu]

This will be very good news if they deploy them as soon as possible so they can be used against China mainly. These last two bigger submarines should hold more longer range missiles to protect the submarine from having to sail too close and being detected.

At the same time they start constructing the S5 nuclear submarines which will be even larger and hold more types of missiles and powerful engine which should be the mainstay size and backbone of our nuclear ballistic submarines. We should also start constructing our nuclear attack submarines which are crucial and it's good they have designed it but they are lagging in constructing them which is what we need. We should be constructing all types and variants at the same time to cut down on long delays so they need to increase the number of production lines.

Another crucial requirement and necessity is to not construct them out in the open for our enemies to study the threat and technology they face which gives them time to neutralise any military advantage we do have over them. This mistake should never of happened at all and should remain hidden at all times.

Key for S5s are the 190MW nuclear reactors which will also be installed in the SSNs under Project Alpha...The current 83MW reactors are unsuitable for SSNs due to needs of power...Also two (2) of the 190MW reactors could be potentially used for a 65-75000 Ton IAC-2 for nuclear propulsion...Of course this is Gen-2, and eventually India needs Gen-3, bigger and more powerful nuclear propulsion reactors in the 220-250MW class, but with HEU, to avoid refueling for about 30 years.

 

[desigandu]

On the contrary, S4* is very much a reality. While not originally planned, the additional submarine was authorised due to delays in the 190 MW reactor development for the S5-class.

Any public information on the status of 190MW reactors?; and any plans for HEU instead of LEU/others, due to considerations of refueling in 10 years vs. 30 years?

 

[Anant]

Some of the navy officers should go on deputation to IA and IAF to teach them some common sense....
Navy seems to be the neglected middle child, but doing smart stuff.

Well SSBN development directly falls under PMO and not MoD so it doesn't have to deal with bureaucracy babus and corruption in armed forces.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

One of the most successful and on time projects where A Dg nuclear subs a serving or
retd naval officer directly deals and oversees the project reporting to NSA and /Pm himself . Since babus are delinked no leaks slippages and ghoos is given resulting in no delays and proper security . All procurement projects whether make in India or to be acquired must be individually given to selected Dgs with financial powers .

 

[Anant]

S4 is already in service as wikipedia says.

No, S4 hasn't entered service yet. She has been launched, but it is speculated that she is yet to start sea trials. Commissioning will come later.

 

[Anant]

Any public information on the status of 190MW reactors?; and any plans for HEU instead of LEU/others, due to considerations of refueling in 10 years vs. 30 years?

They won't make that information public, Sir. Though, seeing that models for the S5-class are being worked on, we can infer things are going well?

 

[Anant]

Key for S5s are the 190MW nuclear reactors which will also be installed in the SSNs under Project Alpha...The current 83MW reactors are unsuitable for SSNs due to needs of power...Also two (2) of the 190MW reactors could be potentially used for a 65-75000 Ton IAC-2 for nuclear propulsion...Of course this is Gen-2, and eventually India needs Gen-3, bigger and more powerful nuclear propulsion reactors in the 220-250MW class, but with HEU, to avoid refueling for about 30 years.

Sir, 2 190 MW reactors aren't not sufficient for a supercarrier. The Charles de Gaulle has 2 150 MW reactors, and is considered to be slightly underpowered. For a ship that is 60% larger, we would need 3 190 MW reactors at least, which may then require a physically larger ship.

The ideal answer to this would be a 250 MW (or thereabouts) reactor.

 

[desigandu]

Sir, 2 190 MW reactors aren't not sufficient for a supercarrier. The Charles de Gaulle has 2 150 MW reactors, and is considered to be slightly underpowered. For a ship that is 60% larger, we would need 3 190 MW reactors at least, which may then require a physically larger ship.

The ideal answer to this would be a 250 MW (or thereabouts) reactor.

How feasible, not just technically is a 250mw HEU nuclear propulsion reactor by India ready by 2040? Could this also power the next gen SSNs/ 13000 Ton and SSBNs/20000 Ton for India? Also could this be used in a potential nuclear thermal rocket for mars and beyond, like the planned DRACO?

 

[Anant]

How feasible, not just technically is a 250mw HEU nuclear propulsion reactor by India ready by 2040? Could this also power the next gen SSNs/ 13000 Ton and SSBNs/20000 Ton for India? Also could this be used in a potential nuclear thermal rocket for mars and beyond, like the planned DRACO?

Maybe, Sir. A 250 MW reactor would be ideal for a larger SSBN after the S5-class, while the 190 MW reactor would suffice for a while for SSNs, unless we see some type of size escalation after the P75A-class.

As for space exploration usage, I would posit a larger and more powerful reactor's usage would be predicated on the size of the spacecraft. If we are sending probes there, they will only have micro-reactors still.