NEW DELHI – India unveiled plan for launch of long range deadly nuclearcapable underwater missile.

India is planning to test-fire the 3,500 kilometre strike-range K-4 nuclearmissile from an underwater platform off the coast of Andhra Pradesh onFriday.

The missile system is being developed by the DRDO for the Arihant classnuclear submarines which are being built by India. These submarines wouldbe the mainstay of India’s nuclear triad, India today has reported.

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

K-4 is one of the two underwater missiles that are being developed. Theother 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 fullstrike range or shorter ranges. However, NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) andmarine warnings for long-range missile test have already been issued byIndia for the planned test-firings. The K-4 missile test was planned forlast month but was postponed.

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