Article Posted on : - Aug 01, 2012

An unrelated file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): India has successfully developed its first submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) for the indigenous nuclear submarine 'INS Arihant', joining an elite club of nations possessing such weaponry.

The SLBM, which can be launched from Arihant, has been developed successfully, sources said here.

Senior DRDO Scientist and Director of Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) A K Chakrabarti was honoured on Tuesday by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function here for his "outstanding contributions in the successful development of the first SLBM system for the nuclear powered platform Arihant."

The development of the underwater-launched ballistic missile will help India in completing its nuclear triad under which now it will have the option to strike from air, land and under the sea.

At present, very few countries including the US, Russia, France, China and the UK have the capability to carry out submarine-based ballistic missile strikes.

Specifications with regard to the Indian missile were not immediately known but its strike range is believed to be around 700 kms.

In the recent past, reports had suggested that Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been working on developing the K-15 series of underwater missiles and that it had carried out some test-firings earlier this year.

Capability to launch underwater nuclear strikes is considered important for India's defence as the country has a 'no-first use' policy when it comes to nuclear weapons.

After the underground tests in Pokhran in 1998, India has been working on completing the nuclear triad. The Agni and Prithvi series of missiles and combat aircraft including the Mirage 2000 can be used for launching nuclear strikes from land and air but the country had been lacking the underwater capability.

At the DRDO function here, K Sekhar, Scientist and Chief Controller, Research and Development and K Tamilmani, Scientist and Chief Executive, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) were also given the excellence awards.

Life Time Achievement Award was conferred on Prof P Rama Rao for his contributions in the multi-fold array of technology and management initiatives.