K-4 (missile)
| K-4 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intermediate-range SLBM |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2020s |
| Used by | Indian Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 17 t (19 short tons) |
| Length | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.3 m (4.3 ft) |
| Warhead | Strategic nuclear weapon |
| Warhead weight | 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) |
| Engine | Two stage solid rocket motor |
| Propellant | Solid rocket propellant |
Operational range | 3,500 km (2,200 mi)-4,000 km (2,500 mi) |
Guidance system | Mid-course: Inertial navigation system with GPS/NavIC satellite guidance, Terminal: Terrain contour matching |
Launch platform | Arihant-class submarines |
K-4 or Kalam-4 is a nuclear capable intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India to arm its Arihant-class submarines. The missile has a maximum range of about 3,500 km which offers greater operational flexibility compared to its predecessor K-15 having a limited shore-bounding range. On deployment, the missile will be the first to operationalise India's sea-based nuclear triad and can accommodate the demand of credible second-strike capability of its nuclear doctrine.
The INS Arihant and INS Arighaat have four vertical launching system for the missile while S4 and S4* submarines have double the number of vertical launching system. The missile has completed developmental launch trials and has reportedly entered serial production after a final two consecutive launch trials in January 2020 within a gap of six days. In September 2024, ANI reported the deployment of the missile onboard the Arighaat, several days past her commissioning.