A Nuclear Fortress In The Indian Ocean: Why Pakistan Is Alarmed By India’s Submarine Strategy | World News
New Delhi/İslamabad: India is in depth of the nuclear deterrence strategy into the waters of the Indian Ocean, and is preparing to dull any aggression from China or Pakistan. What makes Islamabad the most uneasy is that India’s advanced progress in the maritime power, but that the new Delhi is ready to maintain an uninterrupted nuclear strike ability at sea.
Reports in Pakistan press, including a long feature in the Tribune, show that Indian distributions in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Bengal are closely monitored. The report points to the increasing discomfort in Pakistan’s defense circles, where experts believe that India’s strategy is intensifying around the sea deterrence (CASD).
This concept always requires that at least one nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in the patrol. The aim is to provide a second strike with a guaranteed guarantee that does not leave room for hesitation in the event of a nuclear attack.
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Expanding India’s submarine nuclear arsenal
Since the commissioning of Ins Arihant in 2016 and the induction of Ins Arighat in 2024, India has accelerated the nuclear submarine program. While the S-4 and S-4 SSBNs continued, the S-5 class began to work on large 13,500 tons of submarines to anchor India’s long-term sea-based deterrence.
The submarines are equipped with India’s great K series ballistic missiles. K-15 (between 750-1,500 km) is already operational. K-4 (3,500-4,000 km) has been successfully tested.
In development, the independently targeted re-entry tool (MIRVs) and K-6 and 5,000 km are expected to exceed K-5 and the K-6, which is expected to carry hypersonic abilities at intervals approaching 8,000 km. Each missile is designed to strengthen India’s sea -based nuclear shield to provide a reliable second strike.
Pakistani analysts argue that the new Delhi’s defense stance, similar to the Cold War Period Soviet strategies, builds hardened beings at sea, is preparing to survive and guaranteed retaliation. In their words, India began to turn the Indian Ocean into a “nuclear castle ..
Geography Advantage
In the book, Rehman emphasizes that geography supports India’s nuclear submarines. Unlike the crowded Arab Sea, the Gulf of Bengal provides hidden maneuverability for the SSBNs. He argues that this advantage increases India’s survival and complicates enemy monitoring efforts.
India is also building an underground nuclear submarine base under Project Varsha near Visakhapatnam. Designed as a secret facility, it will provide a safe approach for nuclear submarines and will help maintain continuous deterrence at sea.
Larger plan
Strategists believe that India aims to build 10 to 12 nuclear submarines, including both SSBNs and nuclear -energy attack submarines (SSNs). The aim is to prepare for simultaneous challenges from both China and Pakistan.
This accumulation is not noticed in Islamabad. Pakistani analysts warn that such expansion can fuel a sharper regional arms race. Some argue that Pakistan’s best betting is advancing their anti -submarine war capabilities. Others recommend discovering new nuclear options on their own.
At the same time, there are voices between India and Pakistan that propose the establishment of a sea aid line modeled in the Cold War Period Communication channels between the US and the Soviet Union.
Change balance
The Indian Ocean is no longer a busy trade route. It becomes the theater of a rapidly developing nuclear competition. Permanent ready for India means safety against surprises.
For Pakistan, it represents a challenge that demands response on both military and diplomatic fronts.
