India Plans Test Of Nuclear-Tipped Submarine-Launched K-4 Missile

India is contemplating testing its longest range submarine-launched K-4 ballistic missile that can deliver nuclear warhead from 3,500 km away.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning to conduct the test from an undersea platform in the Bay of Bengal by month-end, New Indian Express reported today.

The platform is being readied for the test. "If everything goes as per the program, the weapon system, which has drawn attention of enemy nations, will be tested as per schedule,” the official told ‘The Express’ on Sunday.

However, it is still uncertain if the missile will be test launched from a submerged Pontoon, which is replica of a submarine or else the home-made INS Arihant submarine.

The launch would be from a platform nearly 30 feet deep in the sea. Once the platform is ready, movement of tracking systems and naval ships to the area of mission will be made. This would be third test of the missile. The project was kept secret till its first test in March 2014 by DRDO which has designed and developed the missile. Morover, it also has to undergo few more developmental trials before being inducted in the armed forces.

The intermediate range submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is about 12 metres tall with a diameter of 1.3. It weighs around 17 tonnes and can carry a warhead weighing up to 2,000 kg. The missile is powered by solid rocket propellant.