On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh came out with a cryptic social media post. On the day when INS Taragiri, the fourth platform of the Project 17A class, was commissioned into the Indian Navy, Singh, in a tweet, simply said "Shabd nahi, Shakti hai 'Aridhaman'", which can be translated as "Aridhaman isn't just a word, it is power."
While the defence minister did not elaborate further, multiple media reports said India quietly commissioned its third indigenously built nuclear-powered submarine (SSBN), Aridhaman (S4).
A few hours after the defence minister tweeted, Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, in a tweet, said, "India is set to welcome its 3rd nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman."
"Bharat ke ajey saahas ka pratibimb hai, ‘Aridaman’," he wrote in Hindi, meaning, " 'Aridaman' is a reflection of India's invincible courage."
SSBN refers to submersible ship ballistic missile nuclear. India is among the few countries that have nuclear-powered submarines.
According to a report in The Print, sources in the defence establishment confirmed that the SSBN has been commissioned in Visakhapatnam at an event that remained under wraps.
In December, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi had said INS Aridhaman, a closely guarded SSBN project, was in the final stages of trials and was ready to be commissioned soon.
The commissioning of this SSBN is expected to strengthen India’s nuclear triad, boost nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a major role in the security of the country.
Meanwhile, Singh, during the commissioning of INS Taragiri said, "“This ship is capable of high-speed transit and can remain deployed at sea for extended periods. It is equipped with systems designed to monitor enemy movements, ensure its own security, and if necessary, deliver an immediate response. It features modern radar, sonar, and missile systems, such as BrahMos and surface-to-air missiles, which further augment its operational prowess."
From high-intensity combat to maritime security, anti-piracy operations, coastal surveillance, and humanitarian missions, it fits perfectly into every role, making it a unique naval platform, the defence minister added.
