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India’s New Nuclear-Capable Submarine Joins the Fleet: Can It Catch Up with China?

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India has added its second nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arighaat, to its naval fleet. The commissioning took place in late August, with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh declaring that it strengthens the country’s nuclear deterrence amid rising concerns about both China and Pakistan. Despite this advancement, India’s capabilities still lag behind China, whose People’s Liberation Army Navy boasts a fleet that includes six Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, which outmatch India’s two ballistic missile submarines in terms of firepower.

The INS Arighaat, named “Destroyer of the Enemy” in Sanskrit, joins the INS Arihant, commissioned eight years ago. Both submarines, 366 feet long with a 6,000-ton displacement, are equipped with K-15 Sagarika ballistic missiles with a range of about 750 kilometers (466 miles). However, this range limits their ability to strike deep within Chinese territory from the Indian Ocean, as analyst Carl Schuster points out.

China’s Jin-class submarines can carry missiles with a range of at least 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles), along with the capability to carry multiple nuclear warheads, further tilting the strategic balance in Beijing’s favor. The Arighaat aims to improve India’s second-strike capability, crucial in maintaining nuclear deterrence. While India is developing longer-range missiles for future submarines, it may take years for these capabilities to materialize. For instance, Arighaat took nearly seven years from launch to commissioning, suggesting that the next Indian ballistic missile sub may not be ready until 2030.

India’s efforts to develop its sea-based nuclear deterrent are part of a broader ambition to establish a robust second-strike capability, especially as the country faces growing threats from both Pakistan and China. Pakistan is modernizing its fleet with Chinese-designed submarines, while China’s naval buildup includes regular nuclear deterrence patrols by its Jin-class submarines. India’s Arihant-class submarines, though limited in number, will help counter these regional threats, with the Indian government planning further investments, reportedly $31.6 billion over the next decade.

While China’s navy is significantly larger and more advanced, India’s naval buildup sends a strong message about its strategic ambitions. The country’s pursuit of more sophisticated submarines and long-range missiles is aimed at achieving greater parity with China and ensuring a secure nuclear second-strike force capable of deterring aggression.

 

China Denounces U.S. Over Biden’s New Nuclear Strategy Focus on Beijing

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China has sharply criticized the United States following reports that President Joe Biden approved a shift in U.S. nuclear strategy aimed at addressing Beijing’s growing nuclear capabilities. The New York Times revealed that Biden’s revised nuclear strategy, known as the “Nuclear Employment Guidance,” was approved in March amidst concerns from the Pentagon about China’s rapid nuclear expansion, which is expected to rival the U.S. and Russia in the coming decade.

China’s state media and foreign ministry responded swiftly, accusing the U.S. of using China’s nuclear development as a pretext for maintaining its own large arsenal. The editor of the Global Times, a prominent government-affiliated publication, accused the U.S. of hyping up the “China nuclear threat narrative” to justify its post-Cold War nuclear posture. The editor further called on Washington to rebuild trust with China through dialogue rather than confrontation.

China’s foreign ministry echoed these sentiments, with spokeswoman Mao Ning reaffirming that Beijing has no interest in engaging in a nuclear arms race. Mao accused the U.S. of seeking strategic advantage by exaggerating China’s nuclear developments. She called for a more diplomatic approach to managing tensions between the two superpowers.

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The criticism from Beijing comes amid a backdrop of increasing concerns within Washington over China’s military ambitions. A Pentagon report published last year projected that China’s nuclear warhead inventory would exceed 1,000 by 2030, while the number of operational nuclear warheads had already surpassed 500 by May 2023—higher than previous estimates.

The Biden administration’s revised strategy not only focuses on China but also prepares for potential nuclear threats from Russia and North Korea. Despite China’s objections, the White House has maintained that the nuclear strategy was not specifically targeted at any one country, but rather designed to address multiple evolving global threats.

Tensions between the U.S. and China over nuclear issues have been escalating, with both nations exchanging sharp rhetoric in recent years. Informal talks between the two resumed in March 2023, with Chinese officials assuring the U.S. that China would not use nuclear weapons in the Taiwan dispute.

As geopolitical competition between the world’s two largest economies intensifies, nuclear capabilities have become a key point of contention. Beijing sees U.S. policies as a threat to regional stability, while Washington remains concerned about China’s growing military power, especially as it extends its influence in Asia and beyond.

The ongoing friction between the U.S. and China underscores the complexities of global security in a multipolar world where traditional Cold War-era nuclear dynamics are being reshaped by emerging powers. Both nations will need to navigate these challenges carefully to avoid escalating tensions into a full-blown arms race.