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{{Short description|Indian ballistic missile}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = 'K' Missile family
| image = File:B05_SLBM_(cropped).jpg
| caption = Underwater launch of a K Series Missile
| origin = India
| type = [[SLBM]]
| is_ranged = Yes
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive =
| is_artillery =
| is_vehicle =
| is_missile = Yes
| is_UK = 
| service = In production (K-15)<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|newspaper=Defencenews|date=2011-09-27}}</ref> 2017 (K-4)<ref name=IN2day120488>{{cite news|title=The Secret 'K' missile family|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/the-secret-k-missile-family/1/120488.html|newspaper=Indiatoday|date=2010-11-20}}</ref> 
K-4 ready for induction after completion of trials.<ref>{{cite news |url =https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/jan/25/sub-launched-k-4-ready-for-induction-2094389.html |title =Sub-launched K4 ready for induction | website =New Indian Express | date = 25 January 2013 | access-date = 25 January 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url =https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-plans-5-000-km-range-ballistic-missile/story-bystz09QSaHJwYvAtlbNeI.html| title = India plans 5000 km range ballistic missile |website =Hindustan Times | access-date =30 May 2014 }}</ref>
| used_by = [[Indian Navy]]
| wars =
| designer = [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
| design_date =
| manufacturer = [[Bharat Dynamics Limited]]
| unit_cost =
| production_date = K-15 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 |newspaper=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 = 3,500 km (K-4 SLBM)<ref name=IN2day120488/>
| 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 (missile)|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|work=[[The Hindu]]|author=T.S. Subramanian}}</ref> of sagarika K-15 missile)<ref name=DN20110927/>
| 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 missile]]s (SLBM) developed by India to boost its [[second strike]] capabilities 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 [[stealth technology|stealthier]] than their [[Agni (missile)|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|access-date=26 March 2014|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=11 August 2022}}</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|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-01|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name !! Type !! Range
|-
| [[Sagarika (missile)|K-15 SLBM]] ||[[SRBM]] || 750 km-1,500 km (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 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2013-01-30}}</ref>
|-
| [[K-4 (SLBM)|K-4 SLBM]] || [[MRBM]] ||3,500 km (In production)<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 3500nbse;km range submarine-launched ballistic missile K-4
| website = The Hindu | location = New Delhi | access-date =24 July 2021 }}</ref>
|-
| [[K-5 (SLBM)]] ||[[ICBM]]|| 5,000-6,000 km (In development)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|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=2020-12-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[K-6 (SLBM)]]
|[[ICBM]]
|6,000 to 8,000 km (In development)<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/03/indias-undersea-deterrent/|title=India’s Undersea Deterrent|last=Diplomat|first=Saurav Jha, The|work=The Diplomat|access-date=2017-12-12|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
|}

==Missiles in the series==
=== K-15 or Sagarika missile ===
{{main|Sagarika (missile)}}
[[File:B05 SLBM (cropped).jpg|thumb|Sagarika SLBM]]The [[Sagarika (missile)|''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 [[DRDO]]’s 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|newspaper=[[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 Jan 27, 2013, 06.20PM IST |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-27/india/36576760_1_strike-range-fire-nuclear-tipped-missiles-slbm |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=dead |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|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}}</ref> These will enable high accuracy required for precision strike. The last developmental test of the missile was conducted on 28 January 2013 from an under water launch platform off the coast of Visakhapatnam.<ref>{{cite news|author=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/india-test-fires-ballistic-missileunderwater-platform/115182/ |title=India test fires ballistic missile from underwater platform |newspaper=Business Standard |access-date=2013-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Last Updated: 28 Jan 06:16 AM IST |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 similarly capable [[Agni-III]] to equip [[INS Arihant]].

K-4 is an [[Intermediate-range ballistic missile|intermediate-range]] [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]] development by [[DRDO]]. It is a 10 m long missile weighing 20 tonnes, capable of carrying a 2 tonne payload up to a range of 3,500 km.<ref name=IN2day120488/> [[INS Arihant]], first of the [[Arihant class submarine|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|newspaper=The Hindu|date=8 May 2022}}</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|newspaper=WION News|date=20 January 2022}}</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]]|language=en|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|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 24 January 2020, the final trials were carried out by [[DRDO]] in which 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 been completed all the trials and cleared for production by government. It will be used arm the [[Arihant-class submarine]] and future [[S5-class submarine]]. It will greatly enhance the India 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|newspaper=IBNLive}}</ref> It will arm the future variants of [[Arihant class submarine]]s of the [[Indian Navy]]. Reportedly, [[DRDO]] is in the process of developing a [[SLBM|submarine-launched]] [[Solid-fuel rocket|solid fuel missile]] with a maximum range of 5,000-6,000 kilometres.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-ballistic-missile-submarine-k-6-submarine-launched-drdo/1/1104982.html|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 is currently under development and is 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, a payload of 2-3 tonne warhead and a range of around 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 and weapons of mass destruction#Doctrine|India's Nuclear Doctrine]] and thus shift the balance of power in India's favour in the Asian region.<ref name=IN2day120488/>

==See also==

* [[R-29 Vysota]]
* [[R-29RM Shtil]]
* [[R-29RMU Sineva]]
* [[R-29RMU2 Layner]]
* [[RSM-56 Bulava]]
* [[UGM-133 Trident II]]
* [[M45 (missile)]]
* [[M51 (missile)]]
* [[JL-1]]
* [[JL-2]]
* [[KN-11|Pukkuksong-1]]
* [[R-39 Rif]]
* [[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=0275999467|ref={{sfnref|India's nuclear policy|2022}}}}

{{Indian missiles}}
{{Defence Research and Development Organisation}}

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

K Missile family - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 07:58, 14 August 2023