India has tested a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of around 3,500 km from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Bay of Bengal, in a major boost to its nuclear deterrence and strategic capabilities, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
With the test, India became part of a small group of nations having the capability to fire a nuclear missile from land, air and undersea.
The K4 missile was tested from submarine INS Arighaat off the coast of Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, they said.
It was the first test of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submarine, the people said.
The solid-fuelled missile was tested at least five times in the last few years from submersible platforms.
The people cited above said the missile was tested for almost its complete range. The second Arihant-class submarine INS Arighaat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29 with an aim to strengthen India's nuclear deterrence.
It has the distinction of having th