India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has test-fired a 3,500km range K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
DRDO conducted the test from a nuclear-capable submarine off the Visakhapatnam coast.
Armed with K-15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750km, the submarine-launched ballistic missile would be equipped on indigenous Indian Navy Ship Arihant.
DRDO earlier tested the missile multiple times as part of developmental trials so as to validate different parameters.
An official source was quoted by the Indian media as saying: “The test was conducted from a submerged pontoon and has met the desired parameters.
“A pontoon simulates the situation of a launch from a submarine. The missile ejecting from a submerged platform to the surface is the toughest part.”
The 12m long K-4 nuclear missile has a diameter of 1.3m and weighs around 17t. It is powered by solid rocket propellant and is capable of delivering a 2t warhead up to a distance of more than 3,500km.
As reported by The Print, DRDO is already working on a much longer range missile capable of hitting targets that are 5,000km away, known as the K-5.
In March 2016, India reportedly test-fired the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile at its full range from a submerged platform in the Bay of Bengal off the Visakhapatnam coast.
Last November, India formally declared its nuclear triad stated in its nuclear doctrine operational after INS Arihant completed its first deterrence patrol.
Arihant was jointly developed by the Indian Navy, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and DRDO at the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
