By Girish Linganna
Mar 11: Preparations for the missile tests have been completed, and officials are conducting final checks before authorizing the tests.
India is getting ready to test two nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, with one potentially being launched from a submarine, according to The Print.
The tests are expected to occur between March 11 and 16, but the final decision will be influenced by various factors such as weather conditions, as reported by the media.
Citing sources from the defense and security sector, the report mentioned that the K4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and the land-based Agni-V long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile with nuclear capabilities are scheduled for upcoming test-firings.
In connection with this, airmen have been alerted about airspace restrictions over the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean area, indicating that no flying objects are permitted in that region.
The initial test of the K4 missile took place in 2020 from a submerged platform. During that test, the missile was launched from a stationary underwater structure located off the eastern coast in Andhra Pradesh.
The K4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) : The K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and has a range of 3,500 km. The solid-fueled K-4 missile, developed by DRDO and capable of nuclear warhead deployment, is designed to equip India's nuclear propelled ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant. Weighing 17 tonnes and able to carry 2.2 tonnes of payload, the K-4 missile is also intended for installation on additional nuclear submarines in the future.
India has now become part of a select group of countries, including the US, Russia, UK, France, and China, that possess the ability to deploy nuclear missiles from sea, air, and underwater platforms.
India's nuclear triad, armed with the shorter K-15 missiles with a range of 750 km, is strategically positioned to counter threats from Pakistan, including those emerging from Karachi.
The term "nuclear triad" specifically denotes a country's capability to launch nuclear weapons from land-based, air-based, and sea-based platforms, thereby ensuring a diverse and robust nuclear deterrent.
Agni V Nuclear Powered Ballistic Missile : India's Agni-V missile is a nuclear-capable ballistic weapon with a range exceeding 5,400 kilometers. It has the capacity to strike various regions across Asia, including parts of China and Europe. Notably, this missile holds the record for being the farthest-reaching weapon in India's arsenal. The Agni-V missile is also unique in that it is the first projectile to be successfully launched at its maximum operational range, surpassing 5,000 km.
The Agni-V system is comprised of a three-stage solid rocket propulsion system and can carry a substantial 1.5 tonne nuclear warhead payload. The Agni series, derived from the Sanskrit word for "fire", encompasses a range of medium to intercontinental ballistic missiles that are nuclear-capable and surface-to-surface in design. Specifically, Agni-V is deployed from a sealed canister on a road-mobile launcher, streamlining the launch preparation process.
Agni-V boasts impressive specifications, measuring 17.5 meters in length, 2 meters in diameter, and weighing 50,000 kg at launch. It has the capacity to deliver a 1,650 kg payload and operates using a solid propellant propulsion system comprised of three stages. Overall, the Agni-V missile system represents a significant advancement in India's ballistic missile capabilities, enhancing the country's deterrence measures and defensive capabilities.
(The author Girish Linganna of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach out to him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)