9000 km/h speed, 8000 km range and…, This hypersonic missile is more powerful than BrahMos, it can evade radar, can strike entire Pakistan at once, name is…

The security situation in the world is changing rapidly and the global balance of power is shifting, especially after the wars between Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Iran. The world now seems divided into two clear sides. India, however, has continued to stay neutral. But after its recent tensions with Pakistan, India is becoming more alert and prepared.

During Operation Sindoor, a few gaps in India’s defence system were noticed. Now, quick steps are being taken to fix those issues. The Indian Armed Forces are working seriously in all three key areas which includes air missile defence systems, ballistic and cruise missiles, and 5th generation fighter jets.

At the same time, India is spending thousands of crores to upgrade its Navy. Big projects like new aircraft carriers, stealth frigates, and submarines are moving ahead quickly.

India strengthens its naval power with new warships and advanced missiles

Along with boosting its strength in the air and on land, India is also focusing on becoming stronger at sea. After adding INS Arnala to the Navy fleet, India is now fully ready to induct another powerful warship,  the INS Tamal, a Kirwaq-III class stealth frigate on July 1.

This warship has been built in Russia, with 26 per cent of the equipment sourced from India. Two more advanced frigates of the same class will now be built at the Goa Shipyard. The entire project is expected to cost around Rs. 21,000 crore.

Submarine power getting a boost too

At the same time, India is also investing heavily in submarines. The DRDO is working on upgrading the Arihant-class submarines with ultra-modern missile systems. This project has been in development for over a decade, and the results are finally beginning to show.

One of the most important parts of this effort is the development of the K-6 class hypersonic ballistic missile, designed to be launched from submarines, known as SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile). This missile is being seen as more powerful and dangerous than even the BrahMos cruise missile.

What makes K-6 special?

According to a report in hindi.news18.com, the K-6 missile will be capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. Once this project is complete, India will join an elite group of global military powers like the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.

This major step will greatly boost India’s underwater strike capability, giving it a much stronger position in maritime defence and global deterrence.

The power of India’s new K-6 Hypersonic Missile

A former scientist who once worked on the BrahMos project told the Indian Defence Research Wing that the DRDO is now building a new missile called K-6.

  • The K-6 will sit inside a submarine and can be fired while the boat is still deep below the sea’s surface.
  • It is expected to fly at about 7.5 Mach, roughly 9,260 km per hour. At that speed, an enemy has almost no time to react.
  • Key targets on Pakistan’s coast, such as the port city of Karachi, are very close to India’s sea border. In a crisis, the K-6 could strike such places quickly and forcefully.

Because of its speed, range, and ability to carry either conventional or nuclear warheads, the K-6 is being called a “game-changer” for the Indian Navy, much like a modern-day Brahmastra, the legendary unstoppable weapon of Indian myth.

K-6 Missile: Powerful enough to cover all of Pakistan

The K-6 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) being developed by DRDO is expected to have a range of 8,000 kilometers, according to a former scientist from the BrahMos project. This means that the entire territory of Pakistan would be within its reach.

India’s Growing SLBM Strength

Before this, India had already successfully tested:

  • K-3 (range: 1,000–2,000 km)
  • K-4 (range: 3,500 km)
  • K-5 (range: 5,000–6,000 km)

Both K-4 and K-5 missiles have already been inducted into the Indian Navy.

Once the K-6 becomes operational, India will have a deadly combination of long-range ballistic missiles for both land and sea. While the Agni-5 ICBM can strike from land, the K-6 can attack from deep under the ocean. This gives India a strong two-front missile power.

Where and how K-6 is being built

The Advanced Naval Systems Laboratory (ANSL) of DRDO in Hyderabad is leading the development of the K-6 missile. It is specially designed for the S-5 class nuclear submarines, which are even more advanced and powerful than the current Arihant-class submarines.

The S-5 submarine is said to be about 12 meters long and 2 meters wide, and it will be able to carry warheads weighing 2 to 3 tonnes.

K-6 to Feature MIRV technology

One of the biggest highlights of the K-6 is that it will be equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology. This means it can carry multiple warheads, each aimed at a different target, making the missile far more destructive and harder to intercept.

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