K-4 Long Range Nuclear Missile

Full Specifications

K-4 Long-Range Submarine-Launched Nuclear Missile

The K-4 Long Range Nuclear Missile is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) developed to strengthen India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence and second-strike capability. Designed for deployment aboard nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), the K-4 represents a critical pillar of India’s strategic triad, alongside land-based and air-delivered nuclear forces.

Origin, Manufacturer, and Role

Developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the K-4 missile originates from the K-series of strategic weapons. Its primary mission is to provide assured retaliatory strike capability from underwater platforms, ensuring survivability against first-strike scenarios. The missile is tailored for integration with India’s Arihant-class SSBNs, enabling discreet and secure launch from submerged positions.

Range, Speed, and Capabilities

The K-4 SLBM has an estimated operational range of approximately 3,500 kilometers, allowing coverage of strategic targets well beyond regional boundaries. It uses a two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor, delivering hypersonic speeds typical of ballistic missile trajectories. The missile follows a lofted ballistic path, making interception extremely challenging for existing missile defense systems.

Guidance, Warhead, and Technology

Equipped with an Inertial Navigation System (INS), potentially augmented by satellite-based updates, the K-4 Missile achieves high accuracy for a strategic-class weapon. It is designed to carry a nuclear warhead, with reports indicating compatibility with multiple payload configurations. Cold-launch technology allows the missile to be ejected from the submarine before ignition, enhancing platform safety and stealth.

Operational Significance

From a U.S. defense analysis perspective, the K-4 SLBM highlights India’s growing strategic missile maturity and contributes to regional deterrence stability in the Indo-Pacific. Its deployment reflects a shift toward survivable, sea-based nuclear forces aligned with modern deterrence doctrines.

K-4 Missile Price

The K-4 missile is not commercially sold and has no official market price. Based on comparable strategic missile programs, analysts estimate the per-unit cost—including R&D amortization—could range from $10–20 million USD, depending on production scale and payload configuration.