India test-fires submarine launched ballistic missile

India hopes to equip its ballistic missile nuclear submarine with the K-4 missile

The Indian military on Sunday test-fired a 3,500-kilometre range submarine-launched ballistic missile from the country's southern coast of Andhra Pradesh, Indian media reported.

“The test-firing was carried out from an underwater platform in the sea during daytime,” Indian media quoted government sources.

India’s primary agency charged with the military’s research and development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is developing missile systems to be used from the nuclear powered Arihant class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).



As of now, only one Arihant class submarine is operational in Indian Navy.

The other missile system under development is the 700-kilometre range BO-5 missile.

Last year in December, Indian military’s Agni-III ballistic missile failed its maiden night test launch and crashed into the sea shortly after launch.

The missile plunged into the sea after the first-stage separation. It was launched from Abdul Kalam Island off India’s Odisha coast.

The Agni-III ballistic missile is capable of hauling conventional and nuclear warheads, weighing up to 1.5 tonnes, to a reported range of more than 2,000kms.



An initial investigation pointed to a ‘manufacturing defect’ in the missile. If true, it is another setback for the Narendra Modi-led ‘Made in India’ initiative.

Weapon systems produced in India usually suffer from low workmanship and suffer from poor maintenance standards prevalent across the Indian military.