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Indian Navy’s 1st Nuclear Submarine Base To Be Ready In 2 Years; ‘Made In India’ Nuke Attack Sub By 2036

India’s nuclear submarine program is gaining momentum to counter the Chinese Navy, already the world’s largest. By 2036, India is expected to have its first indigenous nuclear attack submarine. Additionally, Project INS Varsha, a dedicated base for nuclear submarines, is set to become operational within the next two years.

India’s Navy Chief, Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, has confirmed that the country’s first indigenous nuclear attack submarine is expected to be ready by 2036, with the second following within two years.

This marks the first official statement regarding the nuclear attack submarine program (SSNs). The project, covering the first two submarines, is estimated to cost Rs 35,000 crore ($4.5B).

Naval sources also told the EurAsian Times that INS Varsha, India’s dedicated nuclear submarine base, is expected to become operational within two years. This facility will serve as a hub for the Indian Navy’s current and future submarines.

Developing nuclear attack submarines and the base will significantly bolster the Navy’s strategic capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the South China Sea.

India’s Nuclear Attack Submarine Project

In October 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the construction of two indigenous nuclear attack submarines. The Indian Navy requires six such submarines.

Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, during the annual press conference on December 2, described the project as a “game changer.” He emphasized that it would enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities and bolster the defense manufacturing ecosystem, marking a significant milestone for the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the next five years.

With the government’s approval for two submarines, Admiral Tripathi emphasized the confidence in India’s capacity to design and manufacture complex defense platforms. He pointed out that the submarine program will mirror the successful model used in India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) project, where the Navy took the lead in design and worked closely with the defense industry for manufacturing. This approach, as seen with the Arihant nuclear submarine (SSBN) program, led to the creation of two nuclear-armed submarines.

The project will involve multiple indigenous stakeholders, including the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the shipbuilding centers, design agencies, and private sector partners. These entities will play a crucial role in developing India’s first nuclear attack submarine, which is expected to join the Navy’s fleet by 2036-37. Admiral Tripathi also highlighted the significant involvement of the private sector and the anticipated impact on secondary and tertiary industries.

India’s first nuclear-powered attack submarines will transform the Indian Navy’s strategic capabilities while supporting the country’s goal of becoming fully Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) by 2047. Furthermore, these submarines will serve as a key counterbalance to the growing maritime presence of China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).




Submarines: Courtesy: tKMS

India’s Nuclear Submarine Fleet

There are three primary types of submarines worldwide: Diesel-Electric Submarines, Diesel-Electric Submarines with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP), and Nuclear-Powered Submarines.

Currently, India operates 16 diesel-electric-powered submarines and four nuclear-powered submarines.

  • INS Arihant: India’s first indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), commissioned in August 2016.

  • INS Arighat: India’s second SSBN, commissioned on August 29, 2024, by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. In the past week, the K4 ballistic missile fired from INS Arighat has raised concerns in both China and Pakistan. The successful missile launch was officially announced by Navy Chief Dinesh Tripathi.

  • INS Aridhaman: The third SSBN, set to be commissioned next year.

  • S4* (Codename): India launched its fourth SSBN at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam in October 2024.

Nuclear-powered submarines, as the name suggests, operate on nuclear energy. While India currently possesses nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), it lacks Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines (SSNs).

However, this gap is set to be addressed with the government’s recent approval to construct two SSNs, marking a significant expansion in India’s naval capabilities.

INS Varsha – House For Nuclear Submarines 

As reported by the EurAsian Times, India is making significant strides in building a dedicated base for its nuclear submarines i.e. INS Varsha.

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