In preparation for their future integration into the arsenal of India’s new Arihant-class nuclear submarines, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has reported progress in the development of its K-6 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), with initial testing expected soon. The development was revealed to Indian media by a scientist formerly associated with BrahMos Aerospace during a roundtable on indigenous defense technologies, held as part of the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the upcoming Kerala Space Park (KSPACE) in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to the source, the new K-6 missile will represent a significant leap in capability compared to current missile systems available for the Arihant-class submarines. It is expected to reach targets up to 8,000 kilometers away and achieve hypersonic speeds around Mach 7.5, making interception by enemy defenses more difficult. It is worth noting that India recently completed the development of its K-5 missiles, which have a range of around 5,000 kilometers, while the already deployed K-4 missiles can reach up to 3,500 kilometers.
Developed by DRDO through its Advanced Naval Systems Laboratory (ANSL) based in Hyderabad, the future K-6 missile is described as a solid-fuel, three-stage missile capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), enabling simultaneous strikes on multiple targets with a single launch. Each missile is projected to be around 12 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter, with a payload weighing approximately 3 tons.
Finally, once development is complete and the missile is inducted into service, the K-6 will become a key component of India’s nuclear triad, specifically the sea-based leg involving submarine-launched ballistic missiles. This capability is currently possessed by only a handful of countries: the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. In addition to this naval component, India’s nuclear deterrent also includes air-delivered nuclear bombs and land-based Agni ballistic missiles, which are heavier and slower than the K-series currently under development.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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