Context:
India has successfully tested the K-4, a nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile, from the INS Arighaat, a recently commissioned nuclear-powered submarine. The test was carried out off the coast of Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal. The K-4 missile, which is solid-fueled, boasts a striking range of 3,500 kilometers and was launched from a 6000-tonne submarine. This significant achievement enhances India’s strategic deterrence capabilities, underscoring its advancement in submarine-based ballistic missile technology.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- K-4 Missile Test
- K-4 Missile Specifications
- Strategic Importance of INS Arighaat
K-4 Missile Test
The K-4 missile test conducted from an operational submarine marks a pivotal advancement in India’s defense capabilities, particularly in its strategic maritime strength. Here are the key details about this event and the missile’s specifications:
K-4 Missile Test Highlights
- Operational Launch: For the first time, the K-4 missile was launched from an operational submarine rather than submersible pontoons, showcasing enhanced operational capability.
- Test Analysis: The outcomes of this launch will undergo detailed examination to verify if the missile met its designated performance criteria.
- Notification and Safety: India issued a public area warning and a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the scheduled missile test in the Bay of Bengal from November 27 to 30, ensuring safety and transparency.
K-4 Missile Specifications
- Development: The K-4 missile is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), based on the Agni-III land-based missile.
- Capabilities:
- Range: It has a significant range of 3,500 kilometers, covering strategic targets in Pakistan and parts of China.
- Size and Weight: The missile measures 10 meters in length, with a weight of 20 tonnes and a diameter of 1.3 meters.
- Payload: Capable of carrying a 2-tonne payload, suitable for nuclear warheads.
- Guidance System: It employs an advanced guidance system combining inertial navigation with GPS/NavIC for mid-course updates and terrain contour matching for precise terminal guidance.
- Propulsion: Powered by a two-stage solid rocket motor using solid rocket propellant.
Strategic Importance of INS Arighaat
- Enhanced Nuclear Deterrence: INS Arighaat, India’s second nuclear-powered submarine, significantly bolsters India’s nuclear deterrence posture.
- Capability Upgrade: This submarine represents an upgrade over INS Arihant, as it can deploy more advanced K-4 missiles, enhancing India’s strategic reach up to 3,500 km.
- Operational Advantage: The ability to launch K-4 missiles from submarine platforms provides India with a credible and secure second-strike capability, essential for maintaining strategic balance in the region.
