This was the second launch of the K-4 missile from INS Arighaat and the eighth test of the system overall, following its first launch from the submarine on 27 November last year. The test had originally been scheduled for 3 December but was postponed after a Chinese research vessel was detected around 115 nautical miles from the planned test area.
Construction of INS Arighaat began in 2011, the submarine was launched on 19 November 2017, and it officially entered service on 29 August 2024. Arihant-class submarines are regarded as among the most secretive nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines in the world, with only a small number of clear photographs publicly available.
The K-4 ballistic missile, also known as Kalam-4 in honour of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, was developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation to arm Arihant-class submarines. Despite the test, India’s Ministry of Defence has not officially confirmed that the launch took place, consistent with its approach during previous trials.
