India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable K-4 ballistic missile
Further strengthening its capabilities to hit enemy targets from submarines, India successfully test-fired the 3,500 km strike range nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile off the coast of Andhra Pradesh.
The test-firing was carried out from an underwater platform in the sea during the daytime. The missile is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for being deployed on the fleet of the Arihant Class nuclear submarines being built by India. The nuclear triad includes capability to launch nuclear weapons from air, surface and underwater platforms and the submarine launched capability is considered to be the strongest and best for the task.
India is expected to carry out more tests of the missile before it is ready for being equipped on the nuclear submarines. At the moment, only the first nuclear boat INS Arihant is operational for the Navy. K-4 is one of the two underwater missiles that are being developed by India for its submarine force. The other one is the over 700-kilometre strike range BO-5.
About the K-4 Ballistic Missile
The missile is reported to be 12 metres (39 ft) long with a diameter of 1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in) and weighs nearly 17 tonnes (19 tons). It can carry a warhead weighing up to 2 tonnes (2.2 tons) and is powered solid rocket propellant. DRDO stated that the aim of the missile was to achieve a high accuracy. The missile is also able to cruise at a hypersonic speeds and is maneuverable. To defeat ballistic missile defence systems, the K4 can perform three-dimensional maneuvers.
About DRDO
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India. It was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production of the Indian Ordnance Factories with the Defence Science Organisation. It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
With a network of 52 laboratories, which are engaged in developing defence technologies covering various fields, like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems, DRDO is India’s largest and most diverse research organisation. The organisation includes around 5,000 scientists belonging to the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel.
SOURCE: Livemint, Wikipedia
.png)
