the K-4 missile strengthens the country’s second-strike capability while adhering to its ‘No First Use’ nuclear doctrine.
India conducted a successful operational trial of its nuclear-capable K-4 missile from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant last month. The missile has a range of 3,500 km, making it capable of delivering a nuclear strike to any part of Pakistan and China. According to American nuclear experts, this underwater-launched missile significantly boosts India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. The Asia Times reported that the K-4 missile strengthens the country’s second-strike capability while adhering to its ‘No First Use’ nuclear doctrine. Additionally, India is also working on the K-5 missile, which is expected to have a range of up to 5,000 km.
K-4 Missile: Comparable to Agni-3
Nuclear scientists including Hans Kristensen, compare the K-4 missile’s capabilities to those of the Agni-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile. The missile is capable of striking most parts in China when launched from Bay of Bengal. Kristensen also talked about the ongoing development of the K-5 missile enabling India to target regions across Asia, Africa, the South China Sea, and even parts of Europe.
K-5 Missile: A Potential Game Changer
This would further bolster India’s second-strike capability and potentially neutralize China’s missile defence systems. Reports suggest that China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, particularly at Pakistan’s Gwadar Port and Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port
Talking about K-5 missile, Scientists have predicted that the missile could be equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology, making it capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. This would further strengthen India’s second-strike capability and potentially neutralize China’s missile defense systems. Notably, China’s growing presence in the Indian Oceans, especially at Pakistan’s Gwadar Port and Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port, poses a major challenge for India.
Changing Nuclear Policy
Nearly two weeks post the election results, we hear Sachin Sawant, Maharashtra Congress’s General Secretary, voice his worries. He took a jab at the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance for prioritizing personal power over public welfare. Sawant highlighted the unwanted delay in setting up the new government of Maharashtra and raised a pertinent question, “Why this unnecessary delay? We were expecting a functioning Cabinet by the 26th of November, but we’re still stuck in a wait-and-watch mode.” He stressed that the alliance is discarding the citizens’ necessities and favoring their political goals instead.