K Missile family

{{Short description|Indian ballistic missile}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox weapon | name = 'K' Missile family | image = B05 SLBM (cropped).jpg | caption = Underwater launch of a K Series Missile | origin = India | type = SLBM | is_ranged = Yes | is_explosive = | is_artillery = | is_vehicle = | is_missile = Yes | is_UK =  | service = K-15 (2018) <ref name=K-15>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/specials/2018/aug/19/nuke-capable-submarine-launched-missile-operationalised-india-in-select-triad-club-1859992.html|title=Nuke-capable submarine-launched missile operationalised, India in select triad club|date=19 August 2018|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref><ref name=DN20110927>{{cite news|title=India To Begin Production of Nuke Missile|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20110927/DEFSECT01/109270304/India-Begin-Production-Nuke-Missile|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121171314/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20110927/DEFSECT01/109270304/India-Begin-Production-Nuke-Missile|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 January 2013|work=Defencenews|date=2011-09-27}}</ref> K-4 (2024).<ref>{{cite news |url =https://www.business-standard.com/amp/external-affairs-defence-security/news/indian-navy-tests-3-500-km-k-4-nuclear-missile-from-ins-arighaat-submarine-124112800434_1.html|title =Indian Navy tests 3,500-km K-4 nuclear missile from INS Arighaat submarine|website=Business Standard |date=28 November 2024 |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref> | used_by = Indian Navy | wars = | designer = Defence Research and Development Organisation | design_date = | manufacturer = Bharat Dynamics Limited | unit_cost = | production_date = K-15 and K-4 in production | number = | variants =  | spec_label = | weight = 6<ref name=thehindu>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-successfully-testfires-underwater-missile/article4350553.ece |title=News / National: India successfully test-fires underwater missile |work=The Hindu |access-date=2013-01-28}}</ref>-7<ref name="Hindu.com 20080227"/> tonnes (K-15) 17 tonnes (K-4) | length = 10 m (K-15, K-4) 12 m (K-6) | part_length = | width = 0.74 m (K-15) 1.3 m (K-4) | height = | diameter = | crew = | passengers =  | cartridge = | cartridge_weight = | calibre = | barrels = | action = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = 8,000-9000 km MIRV capable (K-6 SLBM)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/india/k-6-hypersonic-missile-a-faster-deadlier-stealthier-superweapon-for-the-indian-navy-ws-dl-9404877.html|website=news18|title=K-6 Hypersonic Missile: A Faster, Deadlier, Stealthier Superweapon For The Indian Navy|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> | feed = | sights =  | filling = K-15:1 tonne, K-4:1-2.5 tonnes, K-5:2.5 tonne | filling_weight = | detonation = | yield =  | armour = | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = | engine_power = | pw_ratio = | transmission = | payload_capacity = | suspension = | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = 3,500 km | speed = Mach 7.5 (Shaurya, which is land-based version<ref name=H20081113>{{cite journal|title=Shourya test-fired successfully|date=November 2008|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111358700100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216101859/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111358700100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-12-16|journal=The Hindu|author=T.S. Subramanian}}</ref> of sagarika K-15 missile)<ref name=DN20110927/>,(K-6)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goemkarponn.com/k-6-hypersonic-missile-indias-stealthy-supersonic-strike-power-for-the-high-seas/|website=Goemkarponn|title=K-6 Hypersonic Missile: India’s Stealthy, Supersonic Strike Power for the High Seas|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> | guidance = | steering =  | wingspan = | propellant = | ceiling = | altitude = | depth = over 50 m (tested) | accuracy = | launch_platform = Arihant-class submarine, S5-class submarine }}

The '''K family of missiles''' ('''K''' for 'Kalam'),{{efn|named in honour of Indian rocket scientist and former president of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (1931-2015)}} is a family of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) developed by India to boost its second strike abilities and thus augment its nuclear deterrence. Information about this family of missiles has mostly been kept classified. It is reported that ''''K missiles'''' are faster, lighter and stealthier than their Agni missile counterparts.<ref name=IN2day120488/><ref>{{cite news|title=India activates 'secret' undersea missile|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/India-activates-secret-undersea-missile/2013/08/11/article1728237.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814112620/http://newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/India-activates-secret-undersea-missile/2013/08/11/article1728237.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 August 2013|access-date=26 March 2014|work=The New Indian Express|date=11 August 2013}}</ref> High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) developed a new formulation of composite propellant that is more efficient and provide greater thrust compare to Agni missile series. The objective behind the development is to make K missile family faster and lighter without compromising on operational range.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=31 December 2021|title=The 'K' factor in the recent missile tests|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-k-factor-in-the-recent-missile-tests-1894315-2021-12-30|access-date=2022-01-01|website=India Today}}</ref>

==Missiles in the series== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Name !! Type !! Range (km) |- | K-15 (SLBM) || SRBM || 750–1,500 (operational)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thediplomat.com/tag/k-15-submarine-launched-ballistic-missiles/ |website=The Diplomat |title=K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missiles |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022757940100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229234524/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022757940100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-02-29 |title=Front Page: Sagarika missile test-fired successfully |date=2008-02-27 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2013-01-30}}</ref> |- | K-4 (SLBM) || MRBM || 3,500–4,000 (operational)<ref>{{cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=19 January 2020 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-successfully-test-fires-3500-km-k-4-slbm/article30601739.ece |title=India successfully test-fires 3500nbse;km range submarine-launched ballistic missile K-4 |work=The Hindu |location=New Delhi |access-date=1 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=IN2day120488>{{cite news|title=The Secret 'K' missile family|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20101129-the-secret-k-missile-family-744797-2010-11-19|work=Indiatoday|date=2010-11-20}}</ref> |- | K-5 (SLBM) || ICBM || 5,000–6,000 (in development)<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Shishir |date=2020-10-07 |title=4 missile tests, 1 deployed near LAC in 40 days as India shows intent |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-bolsters-strength-with-missile-tests-deployment/story-LcaxZngN0mvJ31JxTvJXQO.html |access-date=2023-01-01 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> |- |K-6 (SLBM) || ICBM || 8,000–9,000 (in development)<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Jha |first=Saurav |date=30 March 2016 |url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/03/indias-undersea-deterrent/ |title=India's Undersea Deterrent |work=The Diplomat |access-date=2023-01-01}}</ref><ref name=":0"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zee-hindustan/national/indian-navy-to-get-k6-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile-slbm-8000km-by-drdo-as-development-in-works/2815176|website=zee-hindustan news|title=पूरा एशिया क्या यूरोप-अफ्रीका तक वार कर सकेगी इंडियन नेवी, DRDO चुपचाप तैयार कर रहा है ये बैलिस्टिक मिसाइल|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> |} === K-15 or Sagarika missile === {{main|Sagarika (missile)}} thumb|Sagarika SLBMThe ''Sagarika''/K-15 missile (Sanskrit: सागरिका, IAST:Sāgarikā, meaning ''Oceanic'') is the SLBM version of the land-based Shaurya missile.<ref name=DN20110927/><ref name=H20081113/> With a shorter range than K-4 missiles it is to be integrated with Arihant class submarine concurrently developed for the use of Indian Navy.

Sagarika/K-15 was developed at the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) missile complex in Hyderabad. The complex consists of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) and the Research Centre Imarat (RCI). DRDL designed and developed the missile, while the ASL provided the motors and propulsion systems. The RCI's contribution was in avionics, including control and guidance systems and inertial navigation systems.<ref name="Hindu.com 20080227">{{cite news|title=Sagarika missile test-fired successfully|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022757940100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229234524/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022757940100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-02-29|work=The Hindu|date=2008-02-27}}</ref>

Medium range K-15 ballistic missile has a range between 700 km<ref name="auto1"/> to 1,500 km<ref>{{cite news|author=FP Staff |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-k-15-indias-underwater-ballistic-missile-604156.html |title=5 things you need to know about K-15, India's underwater ballistic missile |work=Firstpost |date=2011-02-23 |access-date=2013-01-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=PTI |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-test-fires-ballistic-missile-from-underwater-platform/articleshow/18208492.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131113500/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-27/india/36576760_1_strike-range-fire-nuclear-tipped-missiles-slbm |url-status=live |archive-date=2014-01-31 |work=The Times of India |title=India test-fires ballistic missile from underwater platform |access-date=2013-01-30}}</ref> with varying payload. This will also get help from Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) to ensure guaranteed national access to precision navigation.<ref name=IRShaurya>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaresearch.org/Shourya_Missile.pdf|title=Shourya Missile|access-date=11 February 2012|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921122954/http://www.indiaresearch.org/Shourya_Missile.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> These will enable high accuracy required for precision strike. The last development test of the missile occurred on 28 January 2013, from an underwater launch platform off the coast of Visakhapatnam.<ref>{{cite news|author=|date=27 January 2013|url=http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/india-test-fires-ballistic-missileunderwater-platform/115182/ |title=India test fires ballistic missile from underwater platform |work=Business Standard |access-date=2013-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=440997&catid=35 |title=India test fires ballistic missile from underwater platform |publisher=Thestatesman.net |date=2010-01-15 |access-date=2013-01-28}}</ref>

=== K-4 Missile === {{main|K-4 (SLBM)}} This missile was developed after facing significant difficulties in compacting a similarly capable Agni-III to equip the INS Arihant.

K-4 is an intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile developed by DRDO. It is 10 meters long, weighs 20 tonnes, and can carry a 2 tonne payload up to a range of 3,500 km.<ref name=IN2day120488/> INS Arihant, first of the Arihant-class submarines, will be able to carry 4 K-4 missiles. The K-4 missile was successfully tested on 24 March 2014 from an underwater pontoon submerged 30 m deep.<ref name="hindu-8may14">{{cite news|title=Success on debut for undersea launch of missile|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/success-on-debut-for-undersea-launch-of-missile/article5986757.ece|access-date=8 May 2014|work=The Hindu|date=8 May 2014}}</ref> India successfully test fired the 3,500 km strike range nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile off the coast of Andhra Pradesh on 19 January 2020.<ref name="WION-19jan2020">{{cite news|title=India test-fires nuclear-capable K-4 ballistic missile off Andhra Pradesh coast|url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-test-fires-nuclear-capable-k-4-ballistic-missile-off-andhra-pradesh-coast-275344|access-date=19 January 2020|work=WION News|date=20 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="aninews-19jan2020">{{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|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref><ref name="thehindu-19jan2020">{{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|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 24 January 2020, the final trials were carried out by DRDO in which the missile achieved the near zero circular error probability and hit the target 3,500 km away. This was carried from INS Arihant and clears all validation test.

K-4 has completed all the trials and been cleared for production by the government. It will be used to arm the Arihant-class submarine and future S5-class submarine. It will greatly enhance India's nuclear doctrine as K-15 has range of 750 km and it will have the range of 3,500 km.<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 3500 kmkm range submarine-launched ballistic missile K-4 |website=The Hindu |location=New Delhi |access-date=24 July 2021}}</ref>

===K-5 Missile=== {{main|K-5 (ballistic missile)}} K-5 missile is reportedly being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian strategic forces' underwater platforms.<ref name="firstpost1">{{cite news|author=Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/india-test-fires-first-ever-ballistic-missile-from-underwater-603465.html |title=India test fires first ever ballistic missile from underwater |work=Firstpost |date=2013-01-28 |access-date=2013-05-02}}</ref><ref name=IBN>{{cite news|title=Agni-VI with 10000 km range to be ready by 2014|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agnivi-with-10000-km-range-to-be-ready-by-2014/260699-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525093035/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agnivi-with-10000-km-range-to-be-ready-by-2014/260699-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 May 2012|access-date=17 July 2012|work=IBNLive}}</ref> It will arm the future variants of Arihant-class submarines of the Indian Navy. Reportedly, DRDO is in the process of developing a submarine-launched solid fuel missile with a maximum range of 5,000-6,000 kilometres.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/the-big-story/story/20171218-india-ballistic-missile-submarine-k-6-submarine-launched-drdo-1102085-2017-12-10|title=From India Today magazine: A peek into Indias top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines|access-date=2017-12-12}}</ref> In October 2020, ''Hindustan Times'' reported that the missile was then in development and expected to be tested by 2022.<ref name="auto"/>

=== K-6 Missile === {{main|K-6 (missile)}} K-6 missile is SLBM which is reportedly under development by Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Advanced Naval Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad. It is a three-stage solid fuel multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capable missile with a length of 12 m, width of 2 m, payload of 2-3 tonne warhead, and a range of 6,000 to 8,000 km. It will arm the {{sclass|S5|submarine|3}} of ballistic missile submarines of the Indian Navy.<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":0"/>

==Significance== These 'K' missiles are intrinsically important for India's nuclear deterrence arsenal because they provide India with a much needed ideal and invulnerable second-strike capability stated in India's Nuclear Doctrine and thus shift the balance of power in India's favour in the Asian region.<ref name=IN2day120488/>

==See also== {{Portal|India|Rocketry|Nuclear technology}} * {{lwc|R-29 Vysota}} * {{lwc|R-29RM Shtil}} * {{lwc|R-29RMU Sineva}} * {{lwc|R-29RMU2 Layner}} * {{lwc|RSM-56 Bulava}} * {{lwc|UGM-133 Trident II}} * {{lwc|M45 (missile)}} * {{lwc|M51 (missile)}} * {{lwc|JL-1}} * {{lwc|JL-2}} * {{lwc|Pukguksong-1}} * {{lwc|R-39 Rif}} * {{lwc|R-39M}}

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== *{{cite book|last=Cohen|first=Bharat Karnad; foreword by Stephen P.|title=India's nuclear policy|year=2008|publisher=Praeger Security International|location=Westport, Conn.|isbn=978-0275999469|ref={{sfnref|India's nuclear policy|2008}}}}

Category:Ballistic missiles of India Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles Category:Intercontinental ballistic missiles Category:Submarine-launched ballistic missiles