India's recent commissioning of the INS Arighaat, its second nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine, highlights New Delhi's efforts to bolster its nuclear deterrent against China and Pakistan. Despite these advancements, India still trails behind China, whose People's Liberation Army boasts the world’s largest navy, including superior Jin-class submarines with greater firepower and longer missile ranges. Analysts emphasize that the Arighaat and its predecessor, the INS Arihant, are steps towards establishing India’s second-strike capability, crucial for maintaining strategic balance in the region.
A type 094 Jin-class nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy participates in a naval parade in 2019. Mark Schiefelbein/AFP/Getty Images
The Indian Navy’s current fleet underscores the country's ambition to develop a sophisticated naval nuclear force, albeit not as advanced as China’s. Upcoming submarines with extended missile ranges could eventually enable India to target all of China. However, this buildup raises regional tensions, with India, China, and Pakistan developing multi-warhead missile capabilities, adding to the risk of an accelerated arms race as each nation strives to enhance its missile defenses and strike capabilities.
