New Delhi: So far, India's nuclear capability was limited to its weapons being fired only from land and air. The critical third leg of the nuclear triad - or the capability to launch nuclear weapons from under the sea - was missing. On Tuesday, India is expected to take a significant step towards overcoming this gap with the final test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile codenamed K-15, off Vizag. “The K-15 is ready to be test-fired anytime because the systems are ready,” said Chief Controller Missiles, DRDO, Dr Prahlada.Previously codenamed ‘Sagarika’, this missile has been test-fired five times earlier from underwater pontoons under a secret programme. It can strike a land target at a range of 700 km with a one ton nuclear payload. This will give stealth and survivability to India's nuclear weapons which is critical in view of India's nuclear weapons policy of “no-first use".
Believed to be named after former President A P J Abdul Kalam, the next challenge is integrating this weapon with the ATV, India's nuclear-powered submarine-in-the-making. This vessel is due for sea trials by next year. India has planned a fleet of three nuclear submarines by 2012 and its nuclear weapons posture is beginning to look more credible.