DRDO successfully test-fires K-4 Missile

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired a 3500-kilometre range nuclear-capable missile that can be launched from a submarine on Sunday. The test of the K-4 ballistic missile took place off the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

Crux of the Matter

1. In November 2019, India formally declared its nuclear triad stated in its nuclear doctrine operational after INS Arihant completed its first deterrence patrol.

2. The missile is planned to be fitted into the indigenously built Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarines of the Indian Navy.

3. Reports state that the K-4’s circular error of probability (the radius of the missile’s point of impact which is also a measure of the efficacy of its guidance systems) was 40 meters or less. This makes it ideal to strike targets from stand-off ranges.

4. The missile has been tested several times earlier as part of developmental trials to validate different parameters as per unnamed sources.

5. “Our Circular Error Probability (CEP) is much more sophisticated than Chinese missiles,” the source said. The CEP determines the accuracy of a missile. The lower the CEP, the more accurate the missile is.

Curiopedia

K-4 is a nuclear-capable Intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile under development by Defence Research and Development Organisation of India to arm the Arihant-class submarines. The missile has a maximum range of about 3500 km. The development of the K-4 was undertaken after facing significant difficulties in compacting similarly capable Agni-III to equip INS Arihant which has a limited 17-metre (56 ft)-diameter hull. K-4 has a range comparable to Agni-III with major length reduction from 17 metres (56 ft) to 12 metres (39 ft). The gas-booster designed for K-4 was successfully tested from a submerged pontoon in 2010. DRDO stated that the aim of the missile was to achieve high accuracy. The missile is also able to cruise at hypersonic speeds and is manoeuvrable. To defeat ballistic missile defence systems, the K4 can perform three-dimensional manoeuvres. More Info

Curated Coverage

1. Live Mint – India successfully test-fires 3,500 km range K-4 nuclear capable missile

2. The Hindu – India successfully test-fires 3,500-km range submarine-launched ballistic missile K-4

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