K4 has been tested several times before, including from Arihant. I suspect this test was carried out by the new and improved S4 Aridaman as part of her sea trials.
Just like every single new jet needs to complete weapon integration trials (else won't be inducted into service) and old jets need to have new weapons integrated and fired as proof test , same goes for the nuke subs. This was most likely a repeat trial from one in service platform or a test firing from the new sub. Some weeks ago the k15 firing also happened albeit it is hard to tell about which sub does what. It usually takes some time for full fitment of the weapon system complex before doing this capital trial.
random payload is not attached without being proven via pontoon firing first, neither do there are clearance for such deployment. Actual weapons are much paperwork intensive for QAP reason. What is being part of development trial today, will be proven in 7-8 years, then another 5 years to hit production, then final induction another 6-7 years later. So we can assume what is in development will only go thru to service in 15 years+ time. Yes it takes that long.
The large radars onboard these ships collect vital telemetry data to complement satellite tracking. Sat sensors have limitations in terms of revisit times, fov, etc. Athough the latest gen Chinese sat constellations like Jilin-1 are changing that.
No we don't, but since k4 has already been tested from fully established submarine installed weapon complex it is likely to be from one of the sub. Pontoon tests are for development stage trials.
Not necessarily. But the Notam zone was changed several times (downrange length) precisely to make it harder for PLAN ships to pre-position themselves at a vantage point. In any case, the IN deploys its own platforms near the splash point (as stated in many post-launch MoD press releases till date) for assessing test parameters. So the Chinese probably loiter at a distance but still close enough to glean trajectory/accuracy data.
@marich01 K4 can carry MIRV? If warheads are only 15-20 kilotons maybe.
We do not know yet, it is a smaller dia missile comparatively so the mirv pbcv needs to be miniaturised/smaller than the A5 2m or greater dia class that was on display.
It reportedly has a 2t payload. So it should be MIRV capable, imo. If the pbv can carry decoys, it can carry MIRV too.
All the delivery systems need to have space for a dacs rcs , chaffs/flares , penetration aid and some countermeasures besides the payload.
I'd say SLBMs are MIRV capable by default. K4 would be no exception, esp in our strategic scenario. This missile will form the core of our 2nd strike N capability for the next 7-10 years. S5 is still a long way off.
SLBMs are prime mirv candidates for any country that has the tech. After all, the goal is to maximize the deterrent effect.
