New Delhi: As part of its exercise to strengthen fighting capability of the armed forces, plans are on the anvil to test fire 3,500 kilometre strike-range K-4 nuclear missile from an underwater platform off the coast of Andhra Pradesh on November 8.

The missile system is being developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Arihant class nuclear submarines. These submarines would be the mainstay of India’s nuclear triad.

“As per plans, the DRDO will carry out test-firing of the K-4 nuclear missile from an underwater platform off the Visakhapatnam coast on Friday. During the trial, the DRDO will test the advanced systems in the missile system,” government sources said.

K-4 is one of the two underwater missiles that are being developed. The other one is the over 700 kilometre strike range BO-5 missile.

It is not yet clear whether the DRDO will test the missile at the full strike range or shorter ranges. However, NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and marine warnings for long-range missile test have already been issued for the planned test-firing by India.

The K-4 missile test was planned for last month but was postponed.

DRDO also plans test-firing of the Agni-3 and BrahMos missiles in the coming few weeks.

The Government sources clarified that the test-firing of the K-4 would be done from an underwater pontoon as the missile was yet to be tested and launched from a submarine. It would only be done once it is ready for deployment.