India’s DRDO has successfully finalized the development of the K-5 submarine-launched ballistic missile, a major milestone in the country’s second-strike nuclear capability. Designed with a range of 5,000–6,000 kilometers, the K-5 SLBM significantly enhances India’s underwater deterrence force, allowing deep-sea launch capability far from home waters.
This development was confirmed during the Kerala Spacepark (KSPACE) foundation ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, where a former BrahMos Aerospace scientist also disclosed that the K-4 SLBM, with a 3,500-km range, has already been deployed aboard the Arihant-class nuclear submarines—India’s primary sea-based nuclear platform.
Further advancing India’s strategic reach, DRDO is now developing the K-6 SLBM, anticipated to reach up to 8,000 kilometers in range and attain speeds of Mach 7.5, placing it firmly in the hypersonic category. These insights were shared during a high-level panel discussion on indigenous defense technology, attended by scientists, government officials, and private industry leaders.
The newly inaugurated KSPACE facility is intended as a collaborative ecosystem for cutting-edge aerospace and defense R&D, supporting innovation through synergy among research institutions, startups, and the private sector.
