India successfully tests 3,500 km range K-4 missile from nuclear submarine INS Arighaat

(File photo)

India has successfully tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile K-4, which is designed to hit targets 3,500-km away, from nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat on Tuesday.

The test was conducted off the coast of Vishakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal.

INS Arighaat, India's third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024, making India part of a small group of nations capable of firing a nuclear missile from land, air, and undersea.

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 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBMs) a cornerstone of long-range nuclear deterrence.

The 'K' in the K-series of missiles is a tribute to APJ Abdul Kalam, who played a key role in India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).