Indian Nuclear Submarine Programme

Countering China or Disrupting South Asian Strategic Stability?

Authors

Abstract

This paper offers a critical examination of the expanding Indian Nuclear Submarine (SSBN) Programme in light of recent development and the Indian ambitions of expanding its maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The prominent interpretation of the programme is that is a response to the growing Chinese maritime military capabilities, however these analyses do not aptly capture the full scope of the Indian strategic ambitions. This paper assesses that the Indian maritime ambitions, especially the development and recent expansion of its SSBN programme is a means of asserting its power, prestige and regional dominance. This paper utilises the relatively underutilised framework of the Power Transition Theory (PTT) to investigate and highlight the Indian ambitions in this particular domain. Multiple experts in this particular field, both Pakistani and International, were interviewed to substantiate the findings of the paper. The key findings of this paper highlight that India, as an aspiring power, seeks to challenge the Indo-Pacific regional status quo through its SSBN development and maritime projection. While this aspiration may be aimed at shifting the balance in the Indo-Pacific where China currently sits at the top, these developments by India have implications for Pakistan’s security calculus in the maritime domain as well as for South Asian regional stability.

Keywords: Nuclear Submarines, SSBN, Indian Navy, Pakistan Navy, Second-Strike Capability, Power Projection.

Author Biographies

Nidaa Shahid, Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Nidaa Shahid is a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies Lahore and a Doctoral Fellow in International Relations at the University of Lahore. Her work focuses on nuclear arms control, disarmament, non proliferation and national security. She previously served for a decade as an International Relations Analyst at the Strategic Plans Division and later worked in the Arms Control and Disarmament Division of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She has taught at leading public sector universities and has participated in multiple international Track II dialogues. Her academic background includes an MPhil and MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid e Azam University where she received a Gold Medal. She has also held fellowships at King’s College London the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and other national and international organisations. Her published work spans research papers policy commentaries and analysis on South Asian strategic affairs and nuclear governance. ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6699-4561

Ameer Abdullah Khan, Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

Ameer Abdullah Khan is a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies Lahore, where he works on security studies, geopolitics, aerospace affairs and the climate security nexus. He is a Doctoral Fellow in International Relations at the National Defence University Pakistan. His professional background spans university teaching, strategic research and consultancy for national institutions and international development partners. His published work covers climate change and security, South Asian strategic dynamics and the evolution of air power. He also contributes regularly to academic and policy discussions through research papers, reports and invited talks. He can be reached at info@casslhr.com and his ORCID is https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5748-2504

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Published

29-06-2026

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): Political Horizons

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Nidaa Shahid, Ameer Abdullah Khan

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