India tests nuclear-capable ballistic missile K-4 from INS Arighaat: Sources

INS Arighaat, India's second nuclear-powered submarine, was commissioned in August this year.

India has tested nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile from newly-commissioned INS Arighaat off Vishakhapatnam coast, latest media reports say. According to reports, the testing was of K-4 missile, a solid-fueled SLBM, which has a target range of 3,500 km.

While there are multiple media reports, the Ministry of Defence, DRDO or the Indian Navy has not released an official statement on the matter so far.

According to an update by news agency ANI, the test was carried out by the Indian Navy off a coast in Vishakhapatnam in Bay of Bengal. Results of the test are being analysed by the defence officials, ANI added. This is the first time that the SLBM has been tested from INS Arighaat. Before this, the officials have been testing the missile from submersible pontoons so far, a Times of India report said.

The reports of the missile test come days after New Delhi issued a public notice - NOTAM- for a range missile test in Bay of Bengal.

"The test of the ballistic missile was done for the full range. The details are being analysed and the top military and political brass would be briefed by officials concerned on the exact details after complete analysis," ANI said while quoting defence sources.

Developed by the Defence research and Development Organisation, K-4 is part of India's strategic move to better nuclear capabilities. At present, nations such as Russia. the US and China have SLBMs with target range of over 5,000 km.

INS Arighaat, India's second nuclear-powered submarine, was commissioned in August this year. Part of Arihant-class submarines, 6,000-tonne INS Arighaat is powered with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. The 6,000-tonne submarine can carry K-4 missiles. This is a vast improvement form her forerunner INS-Arihant, which was armed with K-15 missiles.