India has successfully test-fired an underwater ballistic missile capable of hitting a target at 2,000 km. The missile will ultimately be fitted on Arihant submarines thereby completing the nuclear triad as armed forces already have Agni series of ballistic missiles which can be launched from ground and bomber-aircraft capable of firing nuclear bombs.
The underwater missile was test-fired from a submerged platform on Monday in the Bay of Bengal and met all critical parameters, officials said on Tuesday. This is the longest range underwater missile as India already has a missile of this category K -15 which can destroy a target at a range of 750 km. Defence Minister AK Antony congratulated scientists of Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) on the successful test of the latest missile.
Once tested a few more times, the two missiles will form part of indigenously designed and developed nuclear-powered Arihant submarines. The first submarine is expected to go for sea trials in the next few months and after its induction into the Navy, the missiles will be integrated with the platform with other weapon systems.
This will prove to be a significant achievement as India will then join the elite club of countries like US, France, Russia, UK and China who have nuclear triad. Moreover, it will increase the lethality of Indian Navy as a submarine launched ballistic missile is very difficult to detect unlike those fired from air or land.
However, the integration process will take at least two more years and these missiles, so far fired from pontoons, will have to be test fired repeatedly from submarines to ensure that the vessel and missiles are battle-ready.