K-6 Missile

K-6 Missile: Recently, India has made a significant advancement in strengthening its strategic capabilities with the development of the K-6 hypersonic submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)—a vital addition to its nuclear deterrence program.

• About K-6 Missile : A nuclear-capable SLBM currently under development at DRDO’s Advanced Naval Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad.

o It is being specifically designed for deployment on the upcoming S-5 class SSBNs (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines), which will be larger and more advanced than the current Arihant-class.

o Hypersonic Speed: Capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 7.5 (~9,261 km/h), significantly reducing enemy reaction time and rendering traditional missile defence systems nearly ineffective.

o Extended Range: The K-6 is expected to have a range of 8,000 kilometers, far exceeding previous iterations in India’s K-series SLBM program: K-3: 1,000–2,000 km, K-4: 3,500 km (inducted) and K-5: 5,000–6,000 km (inducted)

o Dual Warhead Capability: It will be capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads, enhancing India’s operational flexibility across various conflict scenarios.

• MIRV Technology: The K-6 is being developed with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) capability, enabling a single missile to deliver multiple warheads to different targets simultaneously—greatly enhancing its strike potential.