India’s second nuclear missile submarine should be used responsibly: experts

India is reportedly scheduled to launch its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine on Thursday. Chinese experts said that India should wield this power responsibly and contribute to peace and stability, rather than use it to flex muscles.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commission India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arighat or S-3, in the presence of top naval officials at a quiet event in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, the Hindustan Times quoted people aware of the matter as saying on Thursday.

The Hindustan Times said that the 6,000-ton INS Arighat is set to embark on a long-range patrol of the Indo-Pacific armed with 750-km range nuclear ballistic missiles K-15.

The Indian report said that two nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines can offer huge strategic leverage and act as a deterrent to any navy trying to flex its muscles in the region given India’s location at the center of the “Indo-Pacific.”

With more nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, India’s nuclear deterrence force has increased, but along comes its responsibility in wielding such power, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday.

As long as they exist, nuclear weapons should be used in safeguarding peace and stability, not muscle flexing or nuclear blackmailing, the expert said.