New Delhi: India is edging closer to a major breakthrough in its strategic defense capabilities with the near-completion of the K-6 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM a formidable weapon designed to secure India's second-strike capability and reinforce its maritime nuclear deterrent. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the K-6 represents a leap in technological advancement, boasting intercontinental range and hypersonic speed.
The K-6 missile is designed to travel at a top speed of 9,261 km/h, equivalent to Mach 7.5, placing it firmly in the hypersonic category. This makes the missile incredibly difficult to intercept using current anti-missile systems. With an estimated strike range of 8,000 kilometers, the K-6 is capable of reaching targets far beyond the subcontinent, encompassing strategic points across continents from deep within Indian waterswithout ever surfacing.
The missile is believed to be a three-stage, solid-fuel system, measuring over 12 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter. It is designed to be equipped with MIRVs (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles), meaning a single missile can carry multiple nuclear warheads, each programmed to strike a different target. This MIRV capability significantly enhances the destructive potential and strategic value of the weapon.
What sets the K-6 apart is its deployment strategy. It is being tailored for launch from the upcoming S-5 class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), which are still under development. These submarines, projected to displace around 13,500 tonnes, are expected to carry 12 to 16 K-6 missiles each. Operating silently beneath the ocean’s surface, these vessels would provide India with a secure and survivable platform to launch nuclear strikes if deterrence fails a key element of a robust second-strike capability.
With the K-6 nearing completion, India will soon join an elite group of nations including the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom with operational submarine-launched MIRV-capable ballistic missiles. This strategic development comes at a time of increasing geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific, especially with the growing assertiveness of China, which is also expanding its sea-based missile systems like the JL-3.
The K-6 SLBM offers India a powerful counterbalance in this strategic landscape. It extends India’s nuclear reach, ensures stealthy retaliatory strike options, and strengthens its no-first-use nuclear policy by making a surprise elimination of India’s nuclear forces almost impossible.
The K-6 missile has been in the works since around 2017, and sources suggest it is now in its final stages of development. It is likely to be tested and operationalized in the late 2020s, possibly in alignment with the induction of the first S-5 class submarine between 2027 and 2030.
Although the missile remains under wraps with no official public testing yet announced, defense experts believe its development aligns with India’s growing focus on securing its maritime front and projecting strength in an increasingly unpredictable global security environment.
The nearing induction of the K-6 submarine-launched ballistic missile marks a turning point in India’s defense posture. With a range of 8,000 km, hypersonic velocity, and multiple warhead capabilities, the K-6 is not just a missile it is a strategic game-changer. Once deployed, it will significantly enhance India's nuclear deterrence, reinforce its place among advanced military powers, and ensure that its defense remains strong, silent, and ready beneath the waves.