India is learnt to have tested a nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile.
Nuclear Ballistic Missile Fired From INS Arighaat
India is learnt to have tested a nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed for a strike range of 3,500-km, from the newly commissioned nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat on Wednesday. Sources said it was the solid-fuelled K-4 missile that was tested from the 6,000-tonne INS Arighaat. The K-4 has so far only been tested from submersible pontoons over the last several years.
A few days ago, India had issued a public area warning and notice to airmen (NOTAM) for an intermediate range missile test over a 3,490-km flight corridor in the Bay of Bengal between Nov 27 and 30.
INS Arighaat, the country’s second nuclear-powered submarine with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles (called SSBN in naval parlance), was commissioned on Aug 29. The submarine can carry K-4 missiles, unlike her forerunner INS Arihant armed only with 750-km range K-15 missiles. India plans to induct the third SSBN, with a displacement of 7,000-tonne, as INS Aridhaman early next year.
The Indian Navy has sixteen diesel-electric submarines.
Under the Shishumar Class, type 209 submarine, there are four commissioned attack submarines. These are:
- INS Shishumar (S44)
- INS Shankush (S45)
- INS Shalki (S46)
- INS Shankul (S47)
Their origin lies in India and West Germany and have a displacement of 1,850 tonnes.
Under the Sindhughosh Class, or the Kilo Class of attack submarines, there are eight commissioned submarines. These are:
- INS Sindhughosh (S55)
- INS Sindhudhvaj (S56)
- INS Sindhuraj (S57)
- INS Sindhuratna (S59)
- INS Sindhukesari (S60)
- INS Sindhukirti (S61)
- INS Sindhuvijay (S62)
- INS Sindhurashtra (S65)
The Navy has six French Scorpene-class submarines, out of which four are currently commissioned. These submarines come under the Kalvari class or Scorpene class of submarines. These are:
•INS Kalvari
•INS Khanderi
•INS Karanj
•INS Vela
•INS Vagir
•INS Vagsheer
