In a rare official confirmation of India’s submarine launched nuclear missile programme, a top DRDO scientist today said that the first ever test firing of the missile system is set to take place shortly.The K-15, as the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) has been christened, has a range of over 700 km and would be test fired from a fixed underwater pontoon at the Balasore test range in Orissa within the next few weeks.“We have completed all preparations for the test launch of the missile. This would be the first complete system test of the missile,” S Prahlada, Chief Controller, DRDO told mediapersons on the sidelines of the CII-sponsored Defence Expo.While DRDO has been conducting sub-system level tests of the missile over the past one year, this would be the first integrated test firing of the missile from an undersea launcher. India currently does not have a submarine that can be used to test fire the missile.The SLBM project is designed to complete the nuclear triad by giving India the capability of launching nuclear weapons from air, surface and underwater platforms and has been in development stage for the past 10 years.The SLBM project is designed to complete the nuclear triad by giving India the capability of launching nuclear weapons from air, surface and underwater platforms and has been in development stage for the past 10 years.Prahlada said that after the upcoming test firing, the system would be ready for integration with its “mother vessel”. He was referring to the secretive indigenous nuclear submarine project — the Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV) — that is expected to undergo sea trials next year.India, which has a stated ‘no first use’ policy for nuclear weapons, is keen to acquire submarine launched nuclear capability to have a credible second strike option. Indian would also join an exclusive club of countries including US, Russia, France and China that currently have SLBM technology.The Indo-Russian Brahmos cruise missile with a range of 300 km, already in service with the Army, is also being developed as an underwater launched missile system for integration with submarines in the future.In perhaps the first indication that it was bringing the secret SLBM project into the pubic domain, DRDO chief M Natarajan said in April last year that his organisation was working on a “special purpose missile” for the Navy. DRDO had also announced an award for developing a “special armament system for a strategic programme of national importance” to a team led by Dr SK Vasudeva.
