๐ฎ๐ณIndia launches 4th nuclear Powered ballestic missile submarine
In the midst of a diplomatic spat with Canada, India quietly launched its fourth nuclear powered ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine at Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam this week to strength its nuclear deterrence against its adversaries.
The newly launched S4* SSBN has nearly 75% indigenous content and is equipped only with 3,500km range K-4 nuclear ballistic missiles, which can be fired through vertical launching systems. While the first of its class INS Arihant carries 750 km range K-15 nuclear missiles, its successors are all upgrades of the previous ones and carry only K-4 ballistic missiles
With unlimited range and endurance, the SSBN is constrained only by food supplies, crew fatigue and maintenance. Both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat are already on deep sea patrols and a nuclear powered attack submarine of Russian Akula class is set to join the force on lease in 2028.