India has secretly launched its fourth indigenously made nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, S-4*, capable of carrying nuclear missiles. The first SSBN was launched in 2009 and entered service in 2016. On August 29, 2024, the second SSBN, INS Arighaat, joined the Navy. The third, INS Aridhaman, is due to be commissioned in 2025, which will fully operationalize India’s second-strike nuclear capability. INS Aridhaman is armed with K-4 missiles that can reach 3,500 km.
