Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Defence; Security
In news
A successful trial of the nuclear capable Shaurya missile was conducted by India recently.
Shaurya is a land-based parallel of the submarine launched K-15 missile.
These ballistic weapons belong to the K missile family — codenamed after late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam — which are launched from the Arihant class of nuclear submarines.
Important value additions
K family of missiles
The K family of missiles are primarily Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs).
These missiles are fired from submarines from India’s Arihant class nuclear powered platforms.
Indigenously developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The development of these naval platform launched missiles began in the late 1990s as a step towards completing India’s nuclear triad — the capability of launching nuclear weapons from land, sea and air based assets.
These missiles are lighter, smaller and stealthier than their land-based counterparts.
The Agni series of missiles are land-based which are medium and intercontinental range nuclear capable ballistic missiles.
