India test-fires N-powered water baby K-15

NEW CLEAR MEMBER: DRDO said the missile was launched from a pontoon located 50 metres underwater.

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New Delhi: India on Tuesday successfully test-fired the submarine-launched ballistic missile codenamed K-15, extending to sea India’s critical third leg of the nuclear triad.

DRDO said the missile was launched from a pontoon located 50 metres underwater and was seen exiting the sea.

K-15 is a two-stage missile with a range of 700 km and can carry a one-tonne nuclear warhead.

The missile is planned to be integrated onto India's ATV, the indigenous nuclear submarine which will reportedly begin sea trials next year.

Previously codenamed ‘Sagarika’, this missile has been test-fired five times earlier from underwater pontoons under a secret programme.

This will give stealth and survivability to India's nuclear weapons which is critical in view of India's nuclear weapons policy of “no-first use".

Believed to be named after former President A P J Abdul Kalam, the next challenge is integrating this weapon with the ATV, India's nuclear-powered submarine-in-the-making.

This vessel is due for sea trials by next year. India has planned a fleet of three nuclear submarines by 2012 and its nuclear weapons posture is beginning to look more credible.

Meanwhile, the US has endorsed India's test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

Visiting US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates indicated that India's growing nuclear weapons prowess is not seen as a threat by the US.

"We don't particularly see the test firing of the missile as a risk," he said.