K-4 (missile)

2022-01-05T10:29:19Z

2409:4041:695:A27A:0:0:1E97:E8A0:

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{short description|Indian submarine-launched missile}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = K-4
| image =
| caption =
| origin = [[India]]
| type = [[Intermediate-range ballistic missile|Intermediate-range]] [[SLBM]]
| used_by = {{Navy|India}}
| designer = [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
| design_date =
| manufacturer = [[Bharat Dynamics Limited]]
| unit_cost =
| number =
| variants =
| service = 2020s<ref name="finaltest" />
| engine = Two stage [[rocket motor]]<ref name="9Mar2016"/>
| propellant = [[Solid fuel]]<ref name="9Mar2016"/>
| weight = {{convert|17|t|ST|lk=on|abbr=on}}<ref name=ie_hr/>
| length = {{convert|12|m|ft|lk=out|abbr=on}}<ref name=ie_hr/>
| diameter = {{convert|1.3|m|ft|lk=out|abbr=on}}<ref name=ie_hr/>
| wingspan =
| speed =
| vehicle_range = {{convert|3500|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="The New Indian Express">{{cite news |title=K-4 Missile Set for 'Secret' Test |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/K-4-Missile-Set-for-Secret-Test/2016/03/04/article3309150.ece |publisher=THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS |date=4 March 2016 |access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="thin27j">{{cite news|title=India successfully test-fires underwater missile|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-successfully-testfires-underwater-missile/article4350553.ece?homepage=true|access-date=27 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=27 January 2013}}</ref>
| ceiling =
| altitude =
| filling = [[Strategic nuclear weapon]]
| filling weight = {{convert|2500|kg|lb|lk=out|abbr=on}}<ref>[http://rusnavy.com/news/othernavies/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=11204&print=Y India to test a submarine-based ballistic missile]</ref>
| guidance = '''Mid-course:''' [[Inertial navigation system]] with [[GPS]]/[[NavIC]] [[satellite guidance]], <br/>'''Terminal:''' [[Terrain contour matching]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=CSIS |title=Sagarika/Shaurya |url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/sagarika-shaurya/ |website=Missile Threat |publisher=CSIS |access-date=28 January 2020}}</ref>
| detonation =
| accuracy =
| launch_platform = [[Arihant class submarine|''Arihant'' class submarine]]s
}}

'''K-4''' is a nuclear capable [[Intermediate-range ballistic missile|Intermediate-range]] [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]] developed by the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] of [[Government of India|India]] to arm the [[Arihant-class submarine]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/india-inches-closer-to-credible-nuclear-triad-with-k-4-slbm-test/|title=India Inches Closer to Credible Nuclear Triad With K-4 SLBM Test|last=Diplomat|first=Ankit Panda, The|website=The Diplomat|access-date=26 March 2016}}</ref> The missile has a maximum range of about 3,500 km.<ref name="thin27j">{{cite news|title=India successfully test-fires underwater missile|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-successfully-testfires-underwater-missile/article4350553.ece?homepage=true|access-date=27 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=27 January 2013}}</ref><ref>http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19</ref>

==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 {{convert|17|m|adj=on}} diameter hull. K-4 has range comparable to Agni-III with major length reduction from {{convert|17|m}} to {{convert|12|m}}. The gas-booster designed for K-4 was successfully tested from a submerged pontoon in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/DRDO-plans-another-K-15-missile-launch/article15537037.ece|title=DRDO plans another K-15 missile launch|last=Subramanian|first=T. S.|date=28 January 2011|work=The Hindu|access-date=19 August 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

=== Agencies responsible ===
The [[High Energy Materials Research Laboratory|High Energy Material Research Laboratory]] (HEMRL) and the Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM) of the [[DRDO]] have been involved in developing the three motors responsible for propelling the K-4, the systems responsible for separating the stages of K-4, the low-thrust boosters, the gas generator and other components. The launch system of K-4 has been developed by the Naval Systems Group of the [[Research and Development Establishment|Research and Development Establishment (Engineers)]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/key-components-of-k-4-missile-designed-developed-in-pune-6226854/|title=Key components of K-4 missile designed, developed in Pune|date=2020-01-21|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref>

==Description==
{{external media
| width = 210px
| float = right
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_feco6vn7E Video of K-4 missile launch]
}}
The K-4 is a [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]] which is composed of two stages.<ref name="9Mar2016">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2016/mar/09/EXPRESS-EXCLUSIVE-India-Test-Fires-Nuke-Capable-SLBM-K-4-Secretly-901404.html|title=India Test Fires Nuke Capable SLBM K-4 Secretly|date=9 March 2016|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref> The missile is reported to be {{convert|12|m}} long with a diameter of {{convert|1.3|m}} and weighs nearly {{convert|17|tonne}}. It can carry a warhead weighing up to {{convert|2|tonne}} and is powered [[Solid-fuel rocket|solid rocket propellant]]. The DRDO stated that the aim of the missile was to achieve a high accuracy.<ref name="ie_hr">{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2013/dec/10/Longest-Range-Ballistic-Missile-All-Set-for-Undersea-Launch-548253.html|title=Longest Range Ballistic Missile All Set for Undersea Launch|date=10 December 2013|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> As a countermeasure against [[Anti-ballistic missile|ballistic missile defence]] systems, the K4 can perform three-dimensional maneuvers.<ref name="finaltest" />

==Testing==
The developmental testing of K-4 started in January 2010, when the missile successfully ejected from a pontoon submerged 50 metres below the surface of water and breached the surface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20101129-the-secret-k-missile-family-744797-2010-11-20|title=The secret 'K' missile family|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=20 November 2010|website=[[India Today]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614045029/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20101129-the-secret-k-missile-family-744797-2010-11-20|archive-date=14 June 2018|access-date=17 September 2019}}</ref> The missile was originally scheduled to be initially tested in September 2013 from a [[Pontoon (boat)|pontoon]] submerged 50 feet underwater, but the test was delayed due to unspecified issues.<ref name="ie_hr" /><ref>{{cite news|title=India's K-4 SLBM awaits first launch|url=http://www.janes.com/article/26334/india-s-k-4-slbm-awaits-first-launch|access-date=10 December 2013|newspaper=Jane's|date=27 August 2013}}</ref> In the event, the first test was carried out on 24 March 2014 from a depth of 30 metres. The test was successful and the missile was tested to a range of 3,000 km. 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]].<ref>{{cite news | first1= Ankit | last1= Panda| url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/india-inches-closer-to-credible-nuclear-triad-with-k-4-slbm-test/ | title=India Inches Closer to Credible Nuclear Triad With K-4 SLBM Test| date=13 May 2014 | work=TheDiplomat }}</ref>

It is reported that on 7 March 2016<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/EXPRESS-EXCLUSIVE-Maiden-Test-of-Undersea-K-4-Missile-From-Arihant-Submarine/2016/04/09/article3370608.ece|title=EXPRESS EXCLUSIVE: Maiden Test of Undersea K-4 Missile From Arihant Submarine|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref> the K-4 was successfully tested from a submerged platform in the Bay of Bengal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/K-4-Missile-Test-A-Roaring-Success/2016/03/16/article3329130.ece|title=K-4 Missile Test A Roaring Success|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref>

In April 2016, it was reported that the missile was successfully tested on 31 March 2016 from [[INS Arihant]], 45 nautical miles away from Vishakhapatnam coast in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The missile with a dummy payload was launched from the submarine in full operational configuration. The trial was carried out with the support of the personnel of [[Strategic Forces Command]] (SFC) and the DRDO provided all the logistics. The missile was fired from 20-metre deep and covered more than 700 km before zeroing on the target with high accuracy reaching close to zero error.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-successfully-tests-long-range-nuclear-missile-developed-secretly/1/641609.html|title=India tests most ambitious nuclear missile|website=indiatoday.intoday.in|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/nuclear-capable-k-4-ballistic-missile-tested-from-ins-arihant-2727516.html|title=Nuclear-capable K-4 ballistic missile tested from INS Arihant - Firstpost|website=Firstpost|date=13 April 2016|language=en-US|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/04/india-successfully-tests-intermediate-range-nuclear-capable-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile/|title=India Successfully Tests Intermediate-Range Nuclear-Capable Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile|last=Diplomat|first=Ankit Panda, The|website=The Diplomat|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/drdos-nuclear-capable-k-4-underwater-missile-test-fired-again-this-time-ins-arihant-report-673978|title=DRDO's nuclear capable K-4 underwater missile test-fired again, this time from INS Arihant: Report|website=International Business Times, India Edition|date=9 April 2016|language=en|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref>

On 17 December 2017, an attempt to launch K-4 missile ended in a failure.<ref name="print-failure">{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/report/setback-for-indian-missile-programme-two-failures-in-a-week-submarine-version-stuck/24671/|title=Setback for Indian missile programme: Two failures in a week, submarine version stuck|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=24 December 2017|website=The Print|access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rout|first=Hemant Kumar|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jan/03/drdo-lines-up-crucial-trials-of-agni-v-and-k-4-missiles-1742984.html|title=DRDO lines up crucial trials of Agni-V and K-4 missiles|work=The New Indian Express|date=3 January 2018}}</ref> The failure was attributed to a discharged battery.<ref name="print-failure"/>

A test of the K-4 was planned in October 2019 but got postponed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-test-fire-3500-km-range-k-4-nuclear-missile/articleshow/71934973.cms|title=India to test-fire 3,500 km range K-4 nuclear missile|date=2019-11-06|work=[[Asian News International]]|access-date=2019-11-06|via=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/drdo-news-documents/DRDO_News_25_Oct_2019.pdf|title=Submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) K-4 test imminent|date=25 October 2019|website=DefenceNews|via=[[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101011915/https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/drdo-news-documents/DRDO_News_25_Oct_2019.pdf|archive-date=1 November 2019|access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref> A test of the K-4 missile was expected to be held on 8 November 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/nov/04/four-nuclear-capable-missiles-lined-up-for-test-this-month-2056717.html|title=Four nuclear capable missiles lined up for test this month|date=4 November 2019|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> but got postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions caused by the [[cyclone]] Bulbul.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/critical-test-for-submarine-launched-nuclear-missile-this-weekend/articleshow/72286330.cms|title=Critical test for submarine-launched nuclear missile this weekend|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=2019-11-29|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=2019-11-29}}</ref> A test of the missile was expected to be conducted in December 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/submarine-launched-k4-missile-test-now-likely-in-mid-december/articleshow/72305389.cms|title=Submarine launched K4 missile test now likely in mid December|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=2019-11-30|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-11-30}}</ref>

On 19 January 2020, K-4 was successfully tested from a submerged platform located in the coastal waters of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-successfully-test-fires-3500-km-k-4-slbm/article30601739.ece|title=India successfully test-fires 3,500-km range submarine-launched ballistic missile K-4|last=Peri|first=Dinakar|date=2020-01-19|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-19|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/india-successfully-test-fires-nuclear-capable-k-4-ballistic-missile-off-andhra-pradesh-coast20200119194506/|title=India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable K-4 ballistic missile off Andhra Pradesh coast|date=19 January 2020|website=[[Asian News International]]|language=en|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref> This test was undertaken in full operational configuration during which the missile traversed a distance of over 3,500 [[km]] in approximately 21 minutes, achieving a near-zero [[Circular error probable|circular error probability]].<ref name="tnieJan2020">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/jan/20/india-successfully-test-fires-3500-km-nuclear-capable-missile-k-4-2091838.html|title=India successfully test-fires 3,500 km nuclear-capable missile K-4|date=20 January 2020|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref>

Another test was successfully carried out on 24 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-successfully-test-fires-k-4-submarine-launched-nuclear-capable-missile/articleshow/73591070.cms|title=India successfully test-fires K-4 submarine-launched nuclear capable missile|date=2020-01-24|work=[[Press Trust of India]]|via=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> This was the final developmental test of K-4 and the missile was ready to enter serial production.<ref name="finaltest">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/jan/25/sub-launched-k-4-ready-for-induction-2094389.html|title=Sub-launched K-4 ready for induction|date=25 January 2020|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-successfully-test-fires-k-4-submarine-launched-missile/articleshow/73589861.cms|title=Arihant's N-capable missile 'ready to roll'|date=24 January 2020|website=[[The Times of India]]|language=en|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[K Missile family]]
*[[Arihant class submarine]]
*[[Sagarika (missile)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Indian missiles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:K-4 (SLBM)}}
[[Category:Submarine-launched ballistic missiles]]
[[Category:Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
[[Category:Ballistic missiles of India]]

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K-4 (missile)