INS Arighat
The Indian Navy has officially inducted INS Arighat, marking the addition of its second indigenously built nuclear submarine to its naval fleet.
This induction follows the reported decommissioning of INS Arihant, the first submarine of its kind, which faced a significant setback due to a major accident resulting from technical malfunctions.
The incident, which involved severe flooding caused by seawater entering the submarine, raised critical concerns about the reliability and safety of India’s nuclear-powered submarine program.
INS Arighat is designed as an upgraded version of the Arihant-class submarine, incorporating enhanced features and capabilities compared to its predecessor.
However, the technical issues that led to the decommissioning of INS Arihant have prompted scrutiny of the potential performance and reliability of INS Arighat.
Questions have been raised about whether the new submarine can overcome the operational challenges that have plagued the Indian Navy’s nuclear submarine program.
The Indian Navy has faced numerous challenges and setbacks over the past decade, with more than 15 major accidents and operational failures reported.
Notable incidents include accidents involving the INS Ranvijay and INS Ranvir, as well as the Brahmaputra-class guided-missile frigate, INS Brahmaputra, all of which have occurred within a short span of three years.
These recurring incidents have drawn attention to India’s technical capabilities in both developing and maintaining its fleet of nuclear submarines and other naval assets.
Critics have also pointed to the significant financial investment required for the development and maintenance of nuclear submarines.
Given that approximately 140 million people in India still live below the poverty line, many argue that the allocation of substantial resources to such defense projects is questionable.
They contend that these funds could be better utilized for addressing pressing social and economic issues within the country.
The induction of INS Arighat takes place amidst these technical concerns and ongoing debates about the prioritization of resources in India’s defense sector.
As the submarine enters service, it is seen as a critical test of India’s ability to advance its naval capabilities while addressing the challenges and criticisms that accompany such ambitious military endeavors.
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