Indian Navy Successfully Test fires K-4 Missile from INS Arighaat

In a significant development for India's second-strike nuclear capability, the Indian Navy has successfully tested a nuclear-capable K-4 missile from its nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat. The successful user trial test will strengthen the country’s nuclear triad.

The INS Arighaat submarine can carry four K-4 missiles.

The Indian Navy commissioned its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighat, on 29 August 2024. The first nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant, was inducted in November 2017.

INS Arihant can carry only one  K-4 missile.

About the K-4 Missile 

K-4 is a nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 

The missile is in the user trial phase before its final induction on INS Arihant/INS Arighaat.

It is the second SLBM to be developed by the DRDO.

The first SLBM of India, Sagarika or K-15, has already been inducted into INS Arihant. It has a range of 750 km.

The range of the K-4 SLBM is 3500 Km 

Significance of the K-4 Missile 

SLBM are crucial for India’s second strike capability and nuclear triad.

The nuclear triad refers to the ability of the country to launch nuclear weapons from Land (Army), Air (Air Force) or Sea (Navy).

The second strike refers to the ability of a country to launch a nuclear weapon on an enemy’s strategic assets after being first hit by the enemy’s nuclear weapon. 

A nuclear-powered submarine is crucial for any country to achieve second-strike capability. It can remain underwater longer than a diesel/electric submarine and is hard to detect.

Also K-15 was basically for targeting the assets in Pakistan.

India views China as a main security threat. The successful test of the K-4 missile will increase India’s capability to hit many areas of China.

India’s Nuclear Submarine Programme 

India launched a project in the 1970s to build a nuclear-powered submarine indigenously. 

INS Arihant was the first nuclear-powered submarine to be successfully developed and inducted into the Indian Navy. 

India plans to build six nuclear attack submarines to bolster its defence and nuclear deterrence.

For details on the Nuclear submarine programme.

Also Read- Nuclear powered INS Arighat Submarine inducted into Indian Navy