India has successfully carried out a test of the K4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal, marking a major milestone in the country’s strategic deterrence capability,
sources said.
According to officials familiar with the development, the missile was fired for its full operational range of around 3,500 km. The missile was previously tested from the same submarine in November last year.
INS Arighaat, India’s third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was commissioned last year and is a key platform in strengthening the sub-surface leg of India’s nuclear triad.
The K4 missile is a crucial component of India’s nuclear triad, providing the country with a credible second-strike capability from beneath the sea. Submarine-launched systems ensure deterrence even if land-based nuclear assets are targeted in a first strike, as submarines are much harder to detect, especially nuclear submarines, as they are more silent than their conventional counterparts and can stay underwater for months on end.
With its longer range and improved capability, the ballistic missile significantly enhances India’s strategic posture against long-range adversaries across the Indo-Pacific region. Its ability to be deployed from stealthy, nuclear-powered submarines gives it higher survivability, making SLBMs a cornerstone of long-range nuclear deterrence.
The K4 also fills a critical gap in India’s missile arsenal, bridging the range between the shorter-range K15 Sagarika missile, which has a range of 750 km, and future longer-range SLBMs currently under construction for the Arihant-class submarines.
