India Successfully Tests Nuclear-Capable K-4 Ballistic Missile from Submarine
The missile launch from INS Arighaat marks a significant step in bolstering India's second-strike nuclear capability and advancing its nuclear triad.
- The Indian Navy successfully tested the K-4 ballistic missile, capable of striking targets up to 3,500 km away, from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal.
- This test validates India's second-strike capability, a critical component of its nuclear deterrence strategy, ensuring retaliation capability in case of a nuclear attack.
- INS Arighaat, commissioned in August 2024, is the second Arihant-class submarine and features advanced technology, including the ability to carry multiple K-4 missiles.
- India is expanding its nuclear submarine fleet, with a third Arihant-class submarine set to join the Navy next year, further strengthening its strategic deterrence forces.
- The K-4 missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents a key advancement in India's indigenous missile development capabilities.