India Tests Submarine Launched Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile

India successfully tested a long range ballistic missile from the newly-inducted nuclear submarine INS Arighaat on Wednesday, NDTV reported. The K-4 missile has a range of 3,500 kilometer that covers much of China.

The missile test validates India's second-strike capability that acts as a strong nuclear deterrence. The navy is expected to conduct more tests of the missile system.

The Indian Navy currently operates two SSBNs—INS Arihant and INS Arighaat—that are capable of firing ballistic missles and run on nuclear power. Arighaat was inducted in August at the Vishakhapatnam-based Ship Building Centre.

A third such submarine has been launched and is expected to be inducted next year.

The long range ballistic missile test comes months after another successful test firing of a new version of a medium-range ballistic missile believed to be from the 'Agni' family of weapons systems. The defence ministry said the user launch has proven the operational capability of the missile with new technologies.

Earlier this month, India successfully flight-tested a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha, an achievement that has put the country in a select group of nations having the weapon that can strike with extreme speed and evade most air defence systems.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the missile test under the country's first long-range hypersonic mission as a "stupendous" achievement and a "historic moment".

The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 km, an official readout said.

Generally, the hypersonic missiles, capable of carrying conventional explosives or nuclear warheads, can fly in the range of five times the speed of sound (Mach 5 which is roughly 1,220 km) per hour at sea level.

However, some advanced versions of hypersonic missiles can even fly at the speed of over 15 mach.

At present, Russia and China are way ahead in developing hypersonic missiles while the US is in the process of developing a range of such weapons under an ambitious programme.

Several other countries, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran, and Israel, are also pursuing projects to develop hypersonic missile systems.

(With inputs from PTI)