Naval base in Andhra, third nuclear sub: How India is levelling up its submarine naval force

India is boosting its submarine naval force – slowly but surely.

New Delhi is planning to commission a new strategic naval base in Andhra Pradesh in 2026 with an eye on China.

It is also set to induct its third nuclear-powered submarine.

This comes after the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi greenlit two 9,800-tonne nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Let’s take a closer look:

New naval base

As per The Times of India, New Delhi is slated to open a new naval base in coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The base, near the village of Rambilli, will play host to nuclear submarines and other warships.

The base is around 50 kilometres from the Eastern Naval Command in Vishakhapatnam.

It comprises underground tunnels and a network of pens in which submarines can be kept.

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This will allow the vessels to get to Bay of Bengal without being discovered by spy satellites and make their way to the Malacca Strait and beyond on deterrent patrols.

“The first phase of the Rambilli base under Project Varsha is almost complete. After commissioning in 2026, it can be expanded and upgraded in phases, much like what is under way at the Karwar base under Project Seabird,” a source told the newspaper.

The first phase of Project Seabird was designed to accommodate 10 ships and was successfully concluded in 2011.

The infrastructure comprised a breakwater, a pier capable of berthing 10 ships, a 10,000-ton ship lift and dry berth, a naval ship repair yard, logistics and armament storage facilities and accommodation for 1,000 personnel.

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It has taken India more than a decade to build this base.

New Delhi had to contend with massive technological, environmental and other challenges.

“The inner harbour is ready. Work on the outer harbour, with the requisite breakwaters and jetties, is in progress,” the source added.

India is also making improvements to the strategically-vital Karwar base in Karnataka.

Once phase 2-A is completed, Karwar will be able to host 32 warships, the source told the newspaper.

Incidentally, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday flagged off the Indian Navy’s novel mission IOS SAGAR and inaugurated various infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore at the Karwar naval base.

IOS SAGAR is an initiative towards continued cooperation with IOR nations in pursuance of India’s vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR).

“Along with other stakeholders, Indian Navy is ensuring peace and prosperity in the region,” Singh said and asserted that India’s effort is to make the Indian Ocean Region “more peaceful and prosperous”.

“It is not just related to our security and national interests, it also points towards the equality of rights and duties among our friendly countries in the region,” Singh said.

“Our Navy ensures that, in the Indian Ocean Region, no nation suppresses another on the basis of overwhelming economy and military power. India ensures that nations’ interests can be protected, without compromising their sovereignty,” he added.

India to get third nuclear-powered sub

According to Moneycontrol, India is also set to commission its third nuclear-powered submarine with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles (SSBN).

The vessel, known as INS Aridhaman, has a displacement of 7,000-tonnes.

As per Deccan Chronicle, the Indian Navy currently operates two SSBNs – the INS Arihant and INS Arighat .

The INS Arighat was commissioned by Singh in August 2024, while the INS Arihant was commissioned in August 2016.

As per Economic Times, the INS Aridhaman is bigger than its predecessors.

This allows it to be equipped with more long-range nuclear-tipped missiles

The INS Aridhaman will add further heft to India’s nuclear triad – which refers to the capacity to deliver nuclear weapons by aircraft, land based ballistic missiles and submarine launched missiles.

India is also slated to get a fourth SSBN – currently codenamed codenamed S-4*.

Just six countries – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China and India — have nuclear submarines.

As per Economic Times, India is also planning to build 13,500-tonne SSBNs with more powerful 190 MW reactors.

In October, the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the construction of two Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSN), as per The Hindu.

Sources said the two 9,800-tonne SSNs will be built domestically at a cost of Rs 40,000 crores at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam

However, this project will likely take a decade to complete.

China, Pakistan upgrade navies

These developments come as India’s neighbours continue to modernise their navies.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), with 340 ships, is the world’s biggest maritime force.

The US Navy, which is still superior in quality to the PLAN, has under 300 ships.

Though the Pentagon wants to have 350 manned ships by 2045, the PLAN is aiming to have 420 ships by 2025 and 460 by 2030.

Pakistan, meanwhile, is upgrading its navy with help from its ‘all-weather’ friend China.

Beijing recently sent Pakistan a Hangor-class submarine – believed to be an export version of China’s 039A submarine with state-of-the-art-weapons and sensors.

This was part of a $5 billion deal Beijing made with Islamabad for eight submarines.

The Indian Navy participated in the Sea Dragon Exercise 2025 near Guam – a US military base in the western Pacific Ocean – alongside the US Navy, Australian Air Force, Japanese and South Korean navies.

With inputs from agencies