DRDO Readies for K-15

BALASORE: The DRDO is preparing for twin tests of submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) K-15 from an underwater platform off the Andhra Pradesh coast. While the first test has been scheduled for March 4, the second test will be conducted anytime between March 16 and 19. Sources at the defence base at Chandipur here said preparations are on for the proposed tests near the Visakhapatnam coast for over a fortnight now. The indigenously built nuclear capable missile will be launched from a Pontoon (replica of a submarine) which is being readied under the sea.A defence official said along with the missile assembling team, several other technical teams including  the wings of Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and communication and range safety from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) are busy in preparations for a smooth and successful test of the missile which has a strike range of 700 km. “We are forced to use the pontoon as the launching platform as India does not have an operational submarine to test-fire such missiles. Though the advanced technology vehicle (ATV) INS Arihant has been developed, it is yet to be equipped with the K-15 missile. Missile tests from the submarine can be possible after the success of sea trials,” he said. Developed by DRDO, K-15 has both the versions, SLBM and SLCM (submarine-launched cruise missile). While the cruise missile is a loose trajectory missile guided to its destination by an onboard computer, its ballistic version has a high-trajectory and transcends the atmosphere to re-enter from above the targeted site.This K-15 missile is, in fact, an advanced clone of naval version of Prithvi and designed to be exclusively launched from a submarine. The missile can be compared with the Tomahawk missile of the US. The Navy has reportedly been insisting on the K-15’s cruise variant as it is hard to be obstructed and has pinpoint accuracy.“Cruise missiles are more difficult to detect and hence less vulnerable to anti-missile defence system, which can track and destroy ballistic missiles with comparative ease,” said a defence scientist.After the K-15 tests, India will go for the much-awaited maiden test of 5,000-km range Agni-V missile, which has been scheduled for the third week of April.