INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLMB) code-named K4 on Friday, from an undisclosed location in the Bay of Bengal.

It was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) along with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which provided all logistics.

The missile was fired from 20-meter deep from onboard silos of the Ship Submersible Ballistic, Nuclear (SSBN) submarine. During the test, it successfully hit with high accuracy after covering more than 700 km distance.

The K4 is a part of the K Family of missiles, a series of SLBMs. The series is named after former president and scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

The missile was tested to a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high accuracy, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

All operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated.

The successful user training launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is significant to prove crew competency and validate the SSBN programme, a key element of India’s nuclear deterrence capability.

A robust, survivable and assured retaliatory capability is in keeping with India’s policy to have 'Credible Minimum Deterrence' that underpins its ‘No First Use’ commitment.

INS Arihant (SSBN 80) is a designated S2 Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine. It is the lead ship of India's Arihant Class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

Image source: Navbharat