India Bolstering Nuclear Triad Amid Global Threats

Amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Navy eyes the potential induction of the extended nuclear submarine, known as the S-4.

It's expected to be armed with K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, boasting an impressive 3,500-kilometer range.

Both the S4 and S-4* submarines are poised to play a crucial role in bolstering India's strategic capabilities as geopolitical dynamics evolve and maritime competition intensifies in the region.

"In the Indian Navy's strategic ballistic missile submarine program, the INS Arihant was the first, commissioned in 2016, followed by a similar SSBN and then two larger ones, the S4 and S4*," Cmde Anil Jai Singh (Retd), an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) specialist, told Sputnik India.

"The second submarine, possibly named S3, might be commissioned or still undergoing trials," he added.

According to Singh, "the emergence of the S4 signifies a significant milestone. Known as Sea vectors, these submarines are crucial for a credible second strike capability in nuclear deterrence."

He pointed out that "maintaining a fleet of submarines on patrol ensures a credible nuclear deterrence posture, which necessitates having multiple submarines available at all times. This strategic move is not merely a numerical expansion but a logical progression in ensuring a robust nuclear deterrence capability."

“India's underwater triad, a cornerstone of its strategic deterrence, underscores the significance of nuclear capabilities within its overall defence strategy. By extending missile ranges, India enhances its ability to target adversaries from safer distances, amplifying its deterrence prowess” Captain Sarabjeet Parmar (Retd), Distinguished Fellow at the United Service Institution of India (USI) told Sputnik India.

The Captain highlighted that “the capability to target adversaries while operating from waters, where submarines can be adequately protected, represents an advantageous scenario. This approach enables India to pose a credible threat to key strategic assets or targets of adversaries while ensuring the security of its naval forces”.

“When considering defence within a strategic posture, it's essential to integrate both nuclear and conventional capabilities. The nuclear capacity influences the structure of conventional forces, as you tailor them with the knowledge of nuclear backup”, Commodore explained.

Parmar explained that “ensuring adequate capacity, capability, and numbers is essential for achieving a credible minimum nuclear deterrence. While precise information regarding future nuclear submarine numbers remains undisclosed, there exists a firm dedication to upholding a formidable fleet, especially in light of the security complexities in the Indo-Pacific area”.

Regarding the Indian Navy's strategic outlook, Singh suggested that “it's imperative for us to concentrate on safeguarding the Indian Ocean and India will not be interested in engaging in conflicts in distant regions such the South China Sea or Taiwan unlike the US”.

“Our naval deployments, including routine peacetime operations and exercises, serve to maintain maritime domain awareness and demonstrate our presence. However, venturing into conflicts beyond our primary sphere of influence would be imprudent” according to the Commodore.