GANDHINAGAR: In a recent episode of the podcast “In Our Defence,” host Dev Goswami and defense expert Shiv Aroor discussed the limited size of India’s nuclear submarine program despite the country’s vast coastline of 6,700 kilometers. This strategic vulnerability has led some to question whether India suffers from “sea blindness,” neglecting the critical role its navy plays in national security.
The Indian Navy, the smallest among the three armed forces, appears under-equipped considering the importance of the maritime domain. The discussion highlighted India’s current possession of only two nuclear submarines, INS Arihant and INS Arighat. The episode delved into the differences between nuclear submarines (SSNs and SSBNs) and their conventional counterparts.
While the Indian government approved the indigenous construction of six SSNs at the Ship Building Center in Visakhapatnam in February 2015, little progress has been reported on these projects. The lack of nuclear-powered attack submarines in India’s fleet raises significant strategic concerns. The episode left listeners wondering why India hasn’t commissioned them despite the perceived urgency.
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