India has conducted a successful test of its nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the recently commissioned INS Arighaat, a nuclear-powered submarine.
In preparation of this test, a public area warning and NOTAM was issued for an intermediate-range missile test over a 3,490km flight corridor in the Bay of Bengal, reported The Times of India.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the K-4 missile is capable of carrying a 1-tonne (t) payload up to a range of 3,500km, reported Defence News.
This marks the first test of the K-4 missile from a submarine, following a previous unsuccessful trial in December 2019 due to technical problems.
The missile, which is 10 metres (m) long and weighs 20t, has been tested at least five times in recent years from submersible platforms, demonstrating its capabilities over nearly its full range, people familiar with the matter told the Press Trust of India.
INS Arighaat, the second Arihant-class submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in August 2024 at Visakhapatnam, with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in attendance.
It is capable of carrying K-4 missiles, in contrast to its predecessors.
The construction of INS Arighaat involved advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, and the use of special materials and complex engineering.
The submarine features indigenous systems and equipment, conceptualised, designed, manufactured, and integrated by Indian scientists, industry, and naval personnel.
Earlier in November 2024, India and Japan signed a memorandum of implementation for the co-development of the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) mast.
This mast, featuring integrated communication systems, is designed for installation on Indian Navy ships, enhancing the stealth characteristics of naval platforms.
