India's Undersea Nuclear Arsenal: K-Series Missiles Make Waves

India is discreetly pursuing the development of a comprehensive nuclear triad, encompassing the capacity to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea. A significant component of this endeavor is the K-series, a family of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). Currently, India's nuclear-powered submarines are equipped with the K-4 SLBM, possessing a range of 3,500 kilometers, enabling strikes from secure distances. While an earlier iteration, the B-05, remains in service, the K-4 represents a substantial advancement in range capabilities.

Furthermore, in 2015 and 2017, development initiatives for the K-5 and K-6 SLBMs were authorized. While specific details remain confidential, it is speculated that these missiles have undergone underwater testing, albeit on limited ranges. The K-5 is projected to have a range of 5,000 kilometers, while the K-6 is anticipated to have an intercontinental range of 6,000 kilometers, potentially with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability.

Initially intended for the S-4 and S-4* submarines, these advanced missiles may eventually be deployed on the larger S-5 class submarines. Notably, the S-5 class is expected to serve as the platform for the highly classified K-8 SLBM, rumored to have a range exceeding 10,000 kilometers. While concrete information about the K-8 might not be available for several years, its existence underscores India's commitment to establishing a robust nuclear triad.

This pursuit of a diversified nuclear arsenal bolsters India's second-strike capability, enabling retaliation even in the face of a preemptive nuclear attack. Such a capability serves as a potent deterrent and has far-reaching implications for regional security dynamics within the Indian subcontinent and beyond.

India's progress in developing advanced SLBMs like the K-8 exemplifies the nation's burgeoning technological expertise in strategic missile systems. The coming years will be pivotal in observing the trajectory of these projects and their contribution to India's broader strategic objectives.

 

[Mango_Indian]

K4 has a max range of 4,000 km. I am not sure if it is even operationalized and in series production after the tests. I guess the shroud of secrecy gives the perfect excuse for not giving the production status of the missile.

Even if the K4 is fully operationalized, the basic deterrence capability will be reached.

 

[kumar]

If K8 SLBM is true, then it truly is a game changer. Hope approval has been given to K8, which truly gives our subs some serious long distance patrol options.

 

[Anant]

If K8 SLBM is true, then it truly is a game changer. Hope approval has been given to K8, which truly gives our subs some serious long distance patrol options.

The K-series missiles are SLBMs, not SLCMs.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

Bharat certainly needs SLBMs of K-8 category alongwith with S-5 class SSBNs within a decade . For now,K-5 and K-6 will serve the purpose of deterrence.

 

[Rational Guy]

K4 has a max range of 4,000 km. I am not sure if it is even operationalized and in series production after the tests. I guess the shroud of secrecy gives the perfect excuse for not giving the production status of the missile.

Even if the K4 is fully operationalized, the basic deterrence capability will be reached.

No. India will not have strong second strike capability until we have:

1. Much quieter SSBN with pumpjet.
2. Enough SSKs, SSNs, UUVs, and anti submarine anti ship capability to protect our SSBNs from attack.
3. 8-10,000 KM 4 MIRV SLBM
4. Robust communication capability between leadership and SSBN to authorize nuclear strike.

All the above capabilities will take until 2050 to be realized

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

K-8 sounds like the launcher we absolutely need.
With range if over 10000 KMs, K-8 would probide us actual second strike capabilities since it would enable a SSBN to actually target an enemy from any deployment in case of an eventuality.

People who are advocating for intermediate ranges of K4 being sufficient, they should understand that with that range, there exists real risk of a submarine's cover getting blown since it needs to close up with enemy territory for firing its missile.

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

K8 SLBM, if true being developed, must incorporate hypersonic technology. Just increased ranges are not enough, same applies for Agni series ICBMs.

 

[Boomeranger]

K8 SLBM, if true being developed, must incorporate hypersonic technology. Just increased ranges are not enough, same applies for Agni series ICBMs.

BADLY needed are nuclear powered torpedoes with nuke warheads and also; nuke warhead loaded rocket-missile torpedoes... These will be fired like a missile but will dive into waters as they get closer to CCP AC carrier fleets and will travel at very high speeds under the AC and blow up 5 megatons warhead to sink entire CCP AC fleets...

 

[Anant]

K8 SLBM, if true being developed, must incorporate hypersonic technology. Just increased ranges are not enough, same applies for Agni series ICBMs.

Most ballistic missiles are hypersonic in the last stages of the descent, and this includes the K-series.

 

[Anant]

BADLY needed are nuclear powered torpedoes with nuke warheads and also; nuke warhead loaded rocket-missile torpedoes... These will be fired like a missile but will dive into waters as they get closer to CCP AC carrier fleets and will travel at very high speeds under the AC and blow up 5 megatons warhead to sink entire CCP AC fleets...

Want nuclear annihilation, do you? A war between nuclear powers will stay conventional, since the alternative means near-guaranteed destruction.

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

Most ballistic missiles are hypersonic in the last stages of the descent, and this includes the K-series.

It's not just the last stages, but the trajectory that matters as well. Hypersonic glide vehicles follow unpredictable maneuverable paths to their targets which makes them harder to intercept.

 

[Anant]

It's not just the last stages, but the trajectory that matters as well. Hypersonic glide vehicles follow unpredictable maneuverable paths to their targets which makes them harder to intercept.

Not exactly. HGVs do most of their maneuvers in the mid-flight stage. The final stage is rarely accompanied by maneuvering, simply because of the pressures involved. A radical maneuver in the terminal stage could well pill the HGV apart and destroy it.

When in the lower atmosphere, a HGV moving at hypersonic speeds has a sheet of plasma around it, which hampers communication very severely. Hence, in this stage, they can either slow down to supersonic speeds to communicate and maneuver better (which negates the interceptability advantage completely), or they can continue at hypersonic speeds and use inertial navigation, which means they can be intercepted by sheer numbers of ABMs or predictive targeting. In any case, if inertial navigation is being used, maneuvers will be next to impossible, and hitting a moving target would be practically impossible.

 

[BCharlie]

BADLY needed are nuclear powered torpedoes with nuke warheads and also; nuke warhead loaded rocket-missile torpedoes... These will be fired like a missile but will dive into waters as they get closer to CCP AC carrier fleets and will travel at very high speeds under the AC and blow up 5 megatons warhead to sink entire CCP AC fleets...

Sirji, you think Chinese would be sleeping or sitting back & watching our missiles going in.. YES ?? They have much more larger capacity, depth & capability than us; The way we are, that by the time we think & convert it into action.. we would be struck heavily .. We may not have our ACs & some other large naval assets surface or sub surface.. Dont underestimate yr enemy.. Talking & Dreaming is free so its okay to do so..