Defence: Shaurya Missile and Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs)

Shaurya Missile

  • Shaurya is hypersonic surface-to-surface tactical missile.
  • It is a land variant of short-range SLBM K-15 Sagarika, which has a range of at least 750 kilometres.
  • The missile is based on a canister system which means that it is stored and operated from specially designed compartments.
  • It is also capable of carrying payloads of 200 kg to 1000 kg.
  • These ballistic weapons belong to the K missile family.

Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs)

  • The Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs), sometimes called the ‘K’ family of missiles, have been indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The family is codenamed after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the centre figure in India’s missile and space programmes who also served as the 11th President of India.
  • Because these missiles are to be launched from submarines, they are lighter, more compact and stealthier than their land-based counterparts, the Agni series of missiles which are medium and intercontinental range nuclear capable ballistic assets.
  • Part of the K family is the SLBM K-15, which is also called B-05 or Sagarika. It has a range of 750 km.
  • India has also developed and successfully tested K-4 missiles from the family, which have a range of 3,500 km.
  • The tests conducted were a key step towards ultimately deploying K-4s on the INS Arihant.
  • It is also reported that more members of K-family — reportedly carrying the code names K-5 and K-6, with a range of 5,000 km and 6,000 km respectively — are under development.

 

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