India has successfully test-fired 3,500 km strike range nuclear capable submarine-launched K-4 ballistic missile off coast of Andhra Pradesh. The missile under development by DRDO will be equipped on indigenous INS Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarines of Navy.
The missile test-firing to a range of around 1,500 km was carried out from an underwater platform in the sea on Jan. 19, 2020, sources said. The nuclear triad includes capability to launch nuclear weapons from air, surface and underwater platforms and the submarine launched capability is considered to be the strongest and best for the task.
The missile is being developed for being deployed on the fleet of the Arihant Class nuclear submarines being built by India. India is expected to carry out more tests of the missile before it is ready for being equipped on the nuclear submarines. At the moment, only the first nuclear boat INS Arihant is operational for the Navy.
K-4 is one of the two underwater missiles that were being developed by DRDO. The other one is the over 700 kilometre strike range BO-5 missile.
