K-4 (missile)

K-4 is a nuclear capable intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India to arm the Arihant-class submarines.^[8] The missile has a maximum range of about 4000 km.^[9][10]

Development

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 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.^[11]

Agencies responsible

The

The K-4 is a

The missile will be deployed on the Arihant-class submarines.

Ballistic missile submarine^[13][14]

Class	Vessel	Tonnage	Silo Capacity	Status
Arihant class	INS Arihant	6000 t	4 × K-4 SLBM	Operational
	INS Arighat			Operational
	INS Aridhaman	7000 t	8 × K-4 SLBM	Construction
	S4* (codename)			Construction

Testing

K-4 Launch Log

Date/Time (IST)	Configuration	Launch Site	Duration	Outcome
	Operator
		Payload	Range	Function
	Remarks
15 JAN 2010	Submerged Underwater Pontoon	Visakhapatnam Coast	—	Success
	DRDO	Single mass simulator	—	Developmental launch
	Tested secretly off Visakhapatnam on January 2010, the 10-m long and 1.3-m wide missile emerged from a pontoon submerged 50 m underwater and breached the surface. Painted black and white so that it can be distinguished in water. The test validated the ability of a 20-tonne projectile to withstand 50 kg of water pressure and eject from a submerged launcher before engaging its rocket booster.[15][16]
24 MAR 2014	Submerged Underwater Pontoon	Vishakhapatnam Coast	—	Success
	DRDO	Single mass simulator	3000 km	First test launch
	The launch took place from a pontoon submerged more than 30 metres deep in the sea off the Visakhapatnam coast. After a powerful gas generator ejected it from the pontoon submerged in the Bay of Bengal, the K-4 missile rose into the air, took a turn towards the designated target, sped across 3,000 km in the sky and dropped into the Indian Ocean.[17]
07 MAR 2016	Submerged Underwater Pontoon	Vishakhapatnam Coast	—	Success
	DRDO	Single mass simulator	—	Second test launch
	The K-4 missile was fired at a depressed trajectory. Starting from successfully clearing the launch tube and breaking the water surface to stage separation and maintaining the ballistic trajectory, the missile achieved all parameters before zeroing in on the pre-designated target with high accuracy. The trial was stupendous and a copy book success.[18]
31 MAR 2016	SLBM Silo	Vishakhapatnam Coast	—	Success
	Strategic Forces Command	Single mass simulator	700+ km	Third test launch
	The missile was successfully tested from DRDO provided all the logistics. The missile was fired from 20-metre deep and it covered more than 700 km before zeroing on the target with high accuracy reaching close to zero error.[19][20][21][22]
17 DEC 2017	Submerged Underwater Pontoon	Vishakhapatnam Coast	—	Failure
	DRDO	Single mass simulator	—	Fourth test launch
	K-4 missile did not activate during the test, with its battery getting drained after the launch command was given. It is believed that DRDO scientists were even unable to retrieve the missile from the test pontoon following the failure.[23][24]
19 JAN 2020 1:21 PM	Submerged Underwater Pontoon	Vishakhapatnam Coast	21 min	Success
	Strategic Forces Command	Single mass simulator	3500 km	Fifth test launch
	The test was conducted from a pontoon nearly 30 nautical miles from Vishakhapatnam coast. The trial was carried in association with circular error probability. The missile travelled nearly 21 minutes and covered its full range of over 3,500 km.[25][26] The test comes after several postponement for the last three months with that of November attributing to a cyclone.[27][28][29]
24 JAN 2020	Submerged Underwater Pontoon	Vishakhapatnam Coast	—	Success
	Indian Navy	Single mass simulator	—	Sixth test launch
	Last developmental trial of K-4 making the weapon ready for its series of production and induction in the Armed Forces. Fired from a pontoon nearly 45 nautical miles off Visakhapatnam coast from a depth of around 50 metre, the missile was tested for a reduced range to validate new technologies incorporated in the system. The missile achieved all mission parameters before zeroing on the pre-designated target with high accuracy. The weapon was tested in its deliverable configuration with the active participation of Navy personnel.[30][31]

See also

• K Missile family
• Arihant class submarine
• Sagarika (missile)

References