INS Aridhaman unleashed: All about Navy's 7,000-ton nuclear stealth giant armed with K-4 SLBMs
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent is set to receive a significant upgrade with the imminent commissioning of INS Aridhaman (S4), its third indigenously built Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Weighing 7,000 tonnes, this advanced vessel surpasses its predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, which each displaced 6,000 tonnes. The submarine is equipped with eight vertical launch system (VLS) tubes, enabling it to carry up to 24 K-15 Sagarika short-range missiles (750 km range), eight K-4 intermediate-range missiles (3,500 km range), and potentially K-5 missiles with a range of 6,000 km.
Constructed under the Advanced Technology Vessel project at Visakhapatnam’s Ship Building Centre, INS Aridhaman features an 83 MW Compact Light Water Reactor (CLWR) for propulsion, offering enhanced stealth capabilities due to its low acoustic signature. The submarine also boasts advanced sonar systems, including USHUS and Panchend
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026