Across the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, India, authorities are bracing for the potential impact of a slow-moving storm developing in the Bay of Bengal. Designated as a ‘Deep Depression’ by meteorological experts, this weather system is anticipated to intensify into a cyclone in the coming days, with its trajectory likely directing it towards the coasts of Northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

As reported by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm is currently situated approximately 470 kilometers south-southeast of Chennai. Predictions for Thursday and Friday indicate a significant chance of the system escalating into a cyclonic storm, estimated to make landfall early on Saturday, 30th November. Local forecasts warn that as the storm approaches the coastline, it may generate gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour.

In response to the developing situation, the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have activated their respective disaster response mechanisms. The Eastern Naval Command, along with the Headquarters of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area, has initiated a comprehensive strategy focused on Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) and Search & Rescue (SAR) operations. This proactive approach aims to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the areas likely to be affected.

The ICG has taken measures to enhance public safety by disseminating critical weather advisories and safety instructions through various channels, including radio broadcasts, radar stations, and loudspeakers on vessels and aircraft. These advisories urge seafarers, particularly fishermen, to seek shelter in harbors or relocate to safer zones, given the anticipated rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rainfall.

Furthermore, ICG ships and aircraft remain on high alert and prepared to respond to any emergency scenarios that may arise at sea. The organization has assembled Disaster Relief Teams stationed at strategic locations such as Chennai, Puducherry, Karaikal, and Tuticorin to streamline the response effort. Additionally, the ICG is focused on safeguarding coastal infrastructure, including oil rigs, port facilities, and nearby settlements. Ongoing monitoring and coordination with state authorities facilitate quick responses to ensure coastal safety.

The NDRF has also positioned eight teams across the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, ready to provide rescue and assistance as needed. The cooperation among various agencies underscores the commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the face of the impending storm. As the situation evolves, officials emphasize the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the affected regions.

The Indian Navy made a significant advancement in its military capabilities on Thursday, successfully conducting a test firing of the K-4 ballistic missile from its newly commissioned nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighaat. This test took place in the Bay of Bengal and represents a critical step in bolstering India’s nuclear deterrent and confirming its second-strike capability.

The K-4 missile, which has a striking range of over 3,500 kilometers, is a pivotal component of India’s strategic arsenal. According to defence sources, the results of the test are currently under detailed evaluation, after which senior military and political leaders will receive briefings to assess the missile’s performance. This development is viewed as essential to reinforcing India’s nuclear triad, ensuring the nation’s readiness to retaliate if faced with a nuclear threat.

The K-4 ballistic missile is specifically designed for deployment from underwater platforms, which enhances its role as a critical asset within India’s military framework. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has previously undertaken extensive trials to ensure that the missile meets rigorous operational standards, paving the way for its successful full-range test. With the successful demonstration, the operational readiness of INS Arighaat, which entered service in August 2024, has been notably enhanced.

INS Arighaat, constructed at the Ship Building Centre in Vishakhapatnam, incorporates advanced technologies, including a more sophisticated missile system compared to its predecessor, INS Arihant. While INS Arihant is equipped with K-15 missiles with a range of approximately 750 km, the K-4 missiles on INS Arighaat offer a substantial increase in reach, providing the Indian Navy with greater flexibility and strength in its strategic military posture.

India’s nuclear submarine fleet also includes the INS Arihant, the nation’s first indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, which was commissioned in 2018. Next year, another vessel from this class is expected to join the fleet, further enhancing the country’s deterrence capabilities against potential threats.

During the commissioning ceremony for INS Arighaat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the submarine’s representation of India’s technological advancements and the government’s ‘Aatmanirbharta’ initiative. The construction of INS Arighaat showcases the successful application of advanced design and manufacturing technologies, comprehensive research and development, and the use of specialized materials and engineering expertise sourced from Indian scientists, industry, and Navy personnel.

The technological enhancements embedded in INS Arighaat make it a markedly superior vessel compared to the INS Arihant. With both submarines operational, India is poised to significantly bolster its capability to deter adversaries and safeguard its national interests in an increasingly complex security environment.

The Indian Navy has reached a significant milestone in its defense capabilities with the successful test firing of the K-4 ballistic missile from the newly inducted nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighaat. This test, carried out in the Bay of Bengal, is pivotal in enhancing India’s nuclear deterrence and validating its second-strike capability, showcasing the country’s growing strength in maritime defense.

The K-4 missile, which boasts a striking range of over 3,500 kilometers, represents a substantial leap in India’s strategic weapons arsenal. Unlike the K-15 missiles deployed on the earlier INS Arihant, which have a range of approximately 750 km, the K-4 provides the INS Arighaat with an enhanced offensive capability, allowing for a broader target reach. This upgrade positions INS Arighaat as a formidable asset within India’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

Defence sources have indicated that the results from this test firing will undergo thorough analysis, followed by briefings for senior military and political figures to evaluate the performance of the missile. Such tests are integral to bolstering India’s nuclear triad, ensuring a credible and effective response in the event of a nuclear conflict.

The INS Arighaat, commissioned in August 2024 at the Vishakhapatnam Ship Building Centre, is a testament to India’s commitment to indigenous technology and its zeal for self-reliance, as embodied in the government’s ‘Aatmanirbharta’ initiative. The construction of the submarine involved cutting-edge design techniques, meticulous research and development, advanced materials, and complex engineering processes, showcasing the capabilities of Indian scientists and engineers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the significance of INS Arighaat during its commissioning, stating that it exemplifies India’s technological advancements and bolsters the nation’s strategic deterrence capabilities. The operational readiness of INS Arighaat is crucial, as it ensures that India can maintain a credible defense posture amid rising global tensions.

The successful integration of the K-4 ballistic missile enhances India’s nuclear submarine fleet, which already includes the INS Arihant, the country’s first indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. The continued development of this class of submarines, with a third vessel planned for induction next year, further emphasizes India’s focus on strengthening its deterrence capabilities against potential adversaries and safeguarding national interests.

The successful test of the K-4 missile from the INS Arighaat signals a significant advancement in India’s strategic defense landscape, contributing to a more formidable and capable naval force in the region.

In a significant advancement for its military capabilities, the Indian Navy successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable K-4 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a range of 3,500 kilometers. This event occurred aboard the newly commissioned nuclear submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal. Reports indicate that the test, executed on November 27, was designed to evaluate the missile’s full range, with preliminary data suggesting that objectives for the firing test were satisfactorily met.

Sources within the defense community have confirmed the successful launching of the K-4 missile from INS Arighaat, which has been incorporated into the Indian Navy’s Strategic Forces Command. While detailed analysis of the test results is underway, official confirmation regarding the success of the missile test has yet to be released.

The K-4 missile, a product of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), plays a vital role in enhancing India’s nuclear deterrent capabilities. This missile adds to the existing arsenal provided by the K-15 missile, which is currently deployed on INS Arihant, the Indian Navy’s first Arihant-class submarine. With its formidable range, the K-4 missile can deliver nuclear payloads accurately, thereby significantly strengthening the country’s nuclear triad, which consists of land-based, air-based, and sea-based systems.

INS Arighaat, which was formally inducted into the Strategic Forces Command in August 2024, represents India’s second Arihant-class submarine and is designed to carry multiple K-4 missiles. This latest induction marks a crucial step in bolstering India’s strategic military capabilities, particularly in the realm of underwater warfare and deterrence.

Moreover, the ongoing construction of two additional submarines of the same class indicates India’s commitment to expanding its nuclear submarine fleet, a move that is likely to enhance maritime security and power projection in the region. The successful test-firing of the K-4 missile thus affirms India’s growing confidence in its indigenous defense technologies, underscoring a critical aspect of national security strategy in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

India has successfully conducted a significant test of its K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which has the capability to carry nuclear warheads. The test took place on the morning of November 27 from the INS Arighaat, a recently commissioned nuclear-powered submarine, in the Bay of Bengal, close to the coast of Visakhapatnam.

The K-4 missile is an advanced weapon powered by solid fuel, with a striking capability extending up to 3,500 kilometers. The test launch occurred from the INS Arighaat, a substantial 6,000-ton submarine that enhances the strategic deterrent capabilities of the Indian Navy. This submarine is classified as an SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear), specifically designed to carry nuclear-armed ballistic missiles, marking a pivotal advancement in India’s naval defense posture.

INS Arighaat is India’s second nuclear-powered submarine, building upon the foundation set by its predecessor, the INS Arihant. While the INS Arihant is equipped with K-15 missiles, which have a range of 750 kilometers, the introduction of the more advanced K-4 missiles capable of reaching targets up to 3,500 kilometers signifies a noteworthy enhancement in India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence strategy. This capability allows for the covert launch of missiles while submerged, thereby complicating adversarial defensive measures and bolstering India’s deterrent posture.

Looking ahead, India is set to incorporate its third nuclear-powered submarine, the INS Aridhaman, into its fleet by early 2025. Weighing in at 7,000 tons, the INS Aridhaman will further consolidate the nation’s sea-based nuclear defense capabilities.

The K-4 SLBM, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents a considerable leap in naval warfare technology. With a range of 4,000 kilometers, the K-4 vastly outstrips the operational limits of the K-15 missile, which is designed primarily for coastal defense.

The missile features a hefty weight of 17 tons, measures 12 meters in length with a diameter of 1.3 meters, and is built to accommodate a 2,500 kg strategic nuclear warhead. The K-4 is propelled by a two-stage solid rocket motor, ensuring both reliable performance and robust functionality.

The missile’s development has included clandestine testing, with the first known test occurring in January 2010 near Visakhapatnam. This test highlighted the K-4’s underwater launch capability, as the missile was launched from a submerged pontoon five meters below the surface. Subsequent tests confirmed its ability to handle high water pressures and validate performance standards vital for operational readiness.

With the K-4 missile and the new submarines, India further entrenches its position in the realm of strategic deterrence, enhancing national security and safeguarding its maritime interests against potential threats. The successful testing of the K-4 not only showcases India’s growing technological capabilities but also solidifies its commitment to maintaining a credible and effective nuclear deterrent in the Indo-Pacific region.

In a significant advancement for India’s defense capabilities, the newly commissioned nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat has successfully conducted a test of the country’s nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The test took place in the Bay of Bengal on November 27, off the coast of Visakhapatnam.

The INS Arighaat, which weighs 6,000 tons, launched the solid-fueled K-4 missile, boasting an impressive range of 3,500 kilometers. Although there was no formal announcement about the missile test, sources within the defense establishment confirmed that it was indeed carried out from this advanced submarine.

Defense sources revealed, “The test of the ballistic missile was done for the full range. The details are being analysed and the top military and political brass would be briefed by officials concerned on the exact details after complete analysis.” This marked the first occasion that the K-4 missile has been launched from the INS Arighaat, underscoring India’s ongoing efforts to enhance its long-range missile capabilities.

In recent years, submersible pontoons were the primary platforms utilized for testing the K-4. The analysis of the test results will determine whether the missile launch met the established trial objectives and specifications. The successful launch represents a crucial step in bolstering India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence.

This test was conducted within a previously established flight corridor in the Bay of Bengal between November 27 and November 30, which had been communicated through a public area warning. The INS Arighaat, commissioned into the Indian Navy in August, is the nation’s second nuclear-powered submarine designed to carry nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, known in naval terminology as SSBNs.

Differentiating itself from its predecessor, the INS Arihant, which is equipped with K-15 missiles with a range of 750 kilometers, the INS Arighaat’s capability to carry the K-4 missile enhances India’s strategic deterrence. The country also plans to launch its third SSBN, the INS Aridhaman, which will have a displacement of 7,000 tons, in the near future.

Recently, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security approved the construction of two additional nuclear-powered attack submarines, indicating India’s commitment to strengthening its naval presence and strategic influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

The K-4 missile, developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), is an essential component of India’s military arsenal, aimed at equipping its nuclear submarines for effective deterrence. Currently, several countries, including the United States, Russia, and China, maintain SLBMs with ranges exceeding 5,000 kilometers, making India’s advancements in this area even more critical for its national security strategy.