INS Arihant testfires Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile: In a major step towards perfecting the third leg of the country’s nuclear triad, India Friday successfully testfired a submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from indigenously built nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant in the Bay of Bengal with very high degree of accuracy.
The defence ministry said all operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated, seen as a major milestone to further boost India’s strategic strike capabilities.
“INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) on October 14. The missile was tested to a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high accuracy,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
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The MoD said all operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated.
India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programme is a closely guarded project. INS Arihant was the first submarinde under the SSBN project that was reportedly followed by another boat INS Arighat.
The defence ministry said the SSBN programme was a key element of India’s nuclear deterrence capability.
India’s Sagarika SLBM Missile (File Photo).
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A robust, survivable and assured retaliatory capability is in sync with the country’s policy to have credible minimum deterrence that underpins the country’s no first use policy.
“The successful user training launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is significant to prove crew competency and validate the SSBN programme, a key element of India’s nuclear deterrence capability,” the defence ministry added.
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