India Commissions Third Nuclear Missile Submarine; Operational Challenges Remain (warontherocks.com)

• INS Aridhaman commissioned April 3, 2026, providing continuous at-sea deterrent.
• Four challenges: civil-military relations, submarine disparities, missile range, lack of SSNs.
• Doctrinal reforms and operational practice needed for effective deterrence.

"India commissioned its third ballistic missile nuclear submarine, INS Aridhaman, on April 3, 2026, enabling continuous at-sea nuclear deterrence. However, the article identifies four challenges: rigid civil-military relations hampering warhead mating, signature differences among submarines, insufficient missile range, and the absence of nuclear attack submarines. The author advocates doctrinal reforms and improved operational practices to fully exploit the boomer fleet."