Context: India has tested a nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine off the coast of Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims- Key facts about Ballistic missile, K4 missile, INS Arighaat
Major Highlights:
- The K4 missile (range ~3,500 km) was tested from INS Arighaat submarine.
- It was the first test of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submarine.
- Significance:
- The missile test gives a major boost to India’s nuclear deterrence and strategic capabilities.
- With this test, India has become part of a small group of nations having the capability to fire a nuclear missile from land, air and undersea.
What is a ballistic missile?
- A ballistic missile is a type of missile that uses projectile motion to deliver warheads on a target. These weapons are powered only during relatively brief periods and most of the flight is unpowered.
- Short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) typically stay within the Earth's atmosphere, while other types of larger range ballistic missiles travel outside the atmosphere, re-enter the atmosphere to strike the predetermined fixed target. They are not actively guided like cruise missiles throughout their entire flight.
- Types of Ballistic Missiles:
- Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM): Range- 300 to 1,000 kilometres. E.g., Prithvi-II (India)
- Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM): Range- 1,000 to 3,500 kms. E.g., Agni-II (India)
- Intermediate-range ballistic missile: Range- 3,500 to 5,500 kms. E.g., Agni-III (India)
- Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): Range- over 5,500 kms. E.g., Agni-V
- The missiles travel at extremely high speeds (up to 24 Mach) during their terminal phase, making it challenging for defensive systems to track and intercept them in real-time.
- They can carry conventional high explosives as well as chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions.
What is the K4 missile?
- K4 missile is a nuclear-capable ballistic missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Specifications:
- Range:
- Full load: ~3,000 kilometres
- Reduced load: ~4,000 kilometres
- Length: 12 metres
- Guidance system: Inertial navigation system with GPS/NavIC satellite guidance
- Circular error probable: <10 metres.
- Warhead capacity: weighing up to 2 tonnes
- Powered by: Solid rocket propellant.
- Range:
What is INS Arighaat?
- INS Arighaat is India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, commissioned into service in August 2024.
- It measures 111.6 metres in length and has a submerged displacement of 6000 tons.
- It is powered by a 83-MW pressurised light-water reactor with enriched uranium.
- INS Arighat is equipped with ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It is armed with a 750-km-range K-15 Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) and ~3500-km-range SLBM K-4.