K-15 Sagarika Missile

Full Specifications

K-15 Sagarika SLBM: India’s Submarine-Launched Deterrent

The K-15 Sagarika, also known as B-05, represents a key milestone in India’s strategic defense capabilities as its first operational submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Developed as part of the country’s efforts to establish a credible sea-based nuclear triad, the K-15 provides a survivable second-strike option from underwater platforms. This solid-fuelled missile enhances India’s maritime deterrence posture, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, by enabling submerged launches from nuclear-powered submarines.

Manufacturer

The K-15 was developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Production is handled by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), India’s premier missile manufacturing agency, in collaboration with DRDO. This indigenous program underscores India’s push for self-reliance in strategic weaponry.

Speed and Range

The two-stage, solid-propellant K-15 achieves high speeds, with reports indicating a maximum of around Mach 7.5 (comparable to its land-based variant, the Shaurya). Its operational range is approximately 700-750 km, classifying it as a short-range SLBM. It can deliver a payload of 500-1,000 kg, typically a nuclear warhead, though conventional options exist. Guidance combines inertial navigation with GNSS for mid-course corrections and terrain contour matching (TERCOM) for terminal accuracy, achieving a CEP under 10 meters.

Cost/Price

Exact unit costs are not publicly disclosed due to strategic sensitivity, but estimates for similar short-range SLBMs place it in the range of $12-25 million per missile, reflecting development, production, and integration expenses for India’s defense programs.

The missile measures about 10 meters in length, with a diameter of 0.74-0.8 meters and a launch weight of 6-7 tonnes. It is compatible with vertical launch systems on Arihant-class submarines, with each vessel capable of carrying multiple tubes. Operational since around 2018 on INS Arihant, the K-15 serves as a foundational system while longer-range successors like the K-4 are integrated. Its deployment strengthens India’s nuclear triad and strategic autonomy.