Summary
India is adding more nuclear-armed submarines to its military as part of its strategy to strengthen its defense against neighboring countries China and Pakistan. The Indian Navy is preparing to introduce a new submarine, INS Aridhaman, which will have advanced capabilities compared to previous models.
Key Facts
- India is expected to soon commission its third nuclear-armed submarine, INS Aridhaman.
- India has about 180 nuclear warheads, while China has 600 and Pakistan 170.
- The new submarine, Aridhaman, will have eight missile tubes, double the number of its two predecessors.
- Indian submarines can launch missiles that cover all of Pakistan and most of China.
- India has unresolved disputes with both China and Pakistan that are driving military enhancements.
- Siddhant Kishore, a security expert, states that India's nuclear submarines provide a significant strategic advantage over Pakistan.
- China has six ballistic missile submarines, but Pakistan has none and is developing a cruise missile system instead.
