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On April 3, 2026, the quiet commissioning of the INS Aridhaman (S4) became the third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to be commissioned by India, at Visakhapatnam, led by defense minister Rajnath Singh. This happened a month following the commissioning of stealth frigate INS Taragiri. Although the media focused on it, the social media post made by Singh was very cryptic: "It is not just a word, it is power—Aridhaman."

Arihant-class submarines are larger and more modern than the previous INS Arihant (commissioned 2016) and INS Arighaat (2024). It has advanced stealth and acoustic capabilities and can carry up to eight K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with a range of 3,500 km, which is powered by an 83 MW nuclear reactor and greatly extends the sea-based nuclear strike capabilities of India.

This test is one of the significant milestones in enhancing the underwater arm of the Indian nuclear triad so that it can verify credible second strike capability amid aggression. Three operational SSBNs have now enabled the Indian Navy to have twenty-four-hour-long deterrence patrols and maintenance vessels.

According to analysts, the move sends a powerful message to the enemies of the region and helps strengthen the India-based position on the Indo-Pacific counterbalance to the dynamic security environment. S4 is the second boat, which is already under trials and it opens the way to even more powerful S-5 class submarines in the future