India to Test K-4 Long-range Nuclear Missile: Reports

India is planning to test-fire its K-4 nuclear missile with 3,500km strike-range on Friday, local media reported.

The test will be conducted from an underwater platform off the coast of Andhra Pradesh on Friday, ANI reported.

The missile system is being developed by the DRDO for the Arihant-class nuclear submarines which are being built by India. These submarines would be the mainstay of India's nuclear triad.

"As per plans, the DRDO will carry out test-firing of the K-4 nuclear missile from an underwater platform off the Vishakhapatnam coast on Friday. During the trial, the DRDO will test the advanced systems in the missile system," government sources said here.

"The test-firing of the K-4 would be done from an underwater pontoon as the missile is still being tested and launch from a submarine would only be done once it is ready for deployment," the sources added.

K-4 is one of the two underwater missiles that are being developed, the other being the BO-5 missile with a 700km strike range. The underwater launched ballistic missile is about 12 metres long with a diameter of 1.3 metres. It weighs around 17 tonnes and is capable of delivering a 2 tonne warhead up to a distance of over 3,500 km. The missile is powered by solid rocket propellant. 

It is not yet clear whether the DRDO will test the missile at the full strike-range or shorter ranges, the report said.

However, NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and marine warnings for long-range missile test have reportedly already been issued by India for the planned test-firings.

The K-4 missile test was planned for last month but was postponed.