The INS Aridaman (SSBN 82) is a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which is the third vessel of the Indian Navy's indigenous Arihant-class. It is designated as an S4 Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine. The vessel was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam. The submarine was launched on November 23, 2021, and was formally commissioned on April 3, 2026, by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The primary purpose of the INS Aridaman is to strengthen India's sea-based nuclear deterrence and ensure a survivable second-strike capability, which is a cornerstone of India's No First Use (NFU) nuclear doctrine. The 7,000-tonne vessel is an upgraded variant of the class, featuring an upgraded Compact Light Water Reactor (CLWR) for a lower acoustic signature. It operates by carrying nuclear-tipped missiles in its eight Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes, which is double the capacity of its predecessors. It can deploy up to 24 K-15 Sagarika missiles (750 km range) or eight K-4 missiles (3,500 km range).
The induction of INS Aridaman follows the commissioning of INS Arihant (2016) and INS Arighaat (2024). Its entry into service allows the Indian Navy to maintain three operational SSBNs at sea for the first time. This completes and reinforces the sea leg of India's nuclear triad—the ability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea platforms—placing India among a select group of nations with this capability. Compared to the earlier vessels, INS Aridaman is larger at 7,000 tonnes and its eight VLS tubes provide enhanced missile capacity.