India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially completed development of the K-5 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), a nuclear-capable platform with an estimated operational range of 5,000 to 6,000 kilometers. The confirmation came during the foundation stone ceremony of the Kerala Spacepark (KSPACE) in Thiruvananthapuram, a hub envisioned for aerospace and defense innovation.
A former scientist from BrahMos Aerospace, speaking at the event, also revealed that the K-4 SLBM, with a range of 3,500 kilometers, has been successfully inducted into operational service aboard India’s Arihant-class nuclear submarines.
In addition to this progress, DRDO is actively advancing work on the next-generation K-6 SLBM, which is expected to reach ranges of up to 8,000 kilometers and travel at speeds exceeding Mach 7.5. These revelations were made during a panel on indigenous defense technologies attended by government officials, defense scientists, and industry stakeholders.
The KSPACE facility aims to become a national innovation center, fostering collaboration between research bodies, startups, and private firms involved in space and defense technologies.
