SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
In a significant milestone for India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, the INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), reportedly conducted its first operational trial of the K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) yesterday morning. According to a report by the Times of India, this marks a major step forward in integrating long-range SLBMs into India’s underwater strategic forces.
The K-4 SLBM, with a range of approximately 3,500 km, represents a considerable advancement over the K-15 (B-05) missile, which has a range of 750 km. Until now, tests of the K-4 had been carried out from submerged platforms says TOI report, ensuring the missile’s capabilities in realistic underwater launch scenarios. But idrw.org Reports from 2022 indicated that INS Arihant successfully conducted trials of the K-15 SLBM, marking its ability to operationally deploy short-range SLBMs but also K4 trials were also carried out in the same year as two trials were recorded from Arihant, so technically this could be a second test but first full-range test of the K-4 missile.
The 2024 trial of the K-4 suggests a natural progression in operationalizing India’s SSBN fleet with a diverse range of nuclear-capable missiles. This capability enhances the platform’s strategic utility by extending the range and flexibility of India’s second-strike capability.
India is likely to continue refining and expanding its SLBM capabilities. The K-5 SLBM, with a reported range of over 5,000 km, is in development and expected to further enhance the strike capabilities of future SSBNs in the Arihant-class and upcoming S-5 class submarines.
As India strengthens its SSBN fleet and missile capabilities, it aligns with its strategic objective of maintaining a credible minimum deterrent while adhering to its no-first-use nuclear doctrine.
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