A submarine launched ballistic missile is a type of missile which is capable of being launched from a submarine it is comparatively lighter in weight as compared to its other counterparts it is a type of missile which follows a projectile motion and carries a nuclear warhead usually which allows a single missile to strike several targets.
This launch is significant for nuclear ballistic submarines as it will enhance nuclear deterrence ability, Moreover, the fact that it was launched from the indigenously manufactured INS Arihant makes it even more important
Significant findings
This missile was successfully launched over a predetermined range and impacted the target area with a high level of accuracy; it also validated the technological and operational parameters of the weapon system assuring the crew competency of India’s nuclear program with a credible minimum deterrence policy.
INS Arihant is the venture under the Made In India project, it is a nuclear-powered ballistic missile capable submarine built under the secretive (ATV) Advanced Technology Vessel project. This vessel is operated by the navy but this nuclear-powered vessel is under the authority of strategic forces command which comes under the Nuclear Command Authority.
With the introduction of the INS Arihant in 2019 India’s first deterrence patrol the government announced the establishment of India’s survivable nuclear triad which means the capability of launching strikes and missiles from land, air and sea. This placed India in the league of the countries capable of designing, constructing and operating Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine (SSBN).
Like the submarine INS Arihant these ballistic missiles were also developed in India only by the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) . Since the sea based weapons provide us with the ability to retaliate by a second strike once the counterpart has struck.
This increases our survival rate and also the ability to strike again hence ensuring credible nuclear deterrence as it can be of the most help when all the land-based missiles and weapons can be spotted the underwater missile systems cannot be easily traced underwater and is just like the chessman that remains unseen by the other player until it strikes back with devastating power. Hence, in the case of any surprise attack, such a missile can be easily launched from any ocean.
Presently only six countries namely, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, France, and India have completely operational and successfully tested SLBM.
In the post-COVID era when tensions between Ukraine and Russia heightened with Putin readily prepared for a third world war, it becomes very crucial to be military self-sufficient for the protection of our country. Moreover, with neighbors like China and Pakistan where India is deploying soft diplomacy, we must be prepared in advance for any sort of disturbance in this unpredictable future.
India follows a ‘no first use’ policy in its nuclear doctrine and has sought to maintain a credible minimum deterrent denoting that these nuclear weapons will only be used for a retaliation on an attack on an Indian territory or on Indian armed forces anywhere which will be massive and designed to ‘inflict unacceptable damage’.
According to the doctrine these attacks can be launched only after instructions of the strategic civilian leadership through nuclear command authority. These success of these flagship initiatives of the defence department instill nationalism and a matter of pride for the citizens of India.
Jai Hind!
DO FOLLOOW: Nuclear-powered INS Arihant carries out successful launch of SLBM
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