New Delhi: In a major boost to its strategic deterrence and naval capabilities, India is developing the K-6 hypersonic submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)—a next-generation superweapon that promises unmatched speed, reach, and lethality. The missile is currently under development at the DRDO’s Advanced Naval Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad and is being specifically tailored for the Indian Navy’s future S-5 class nuclear-powered submarines.
As regional maritime tensions escalate, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region, India is aggressively modernising its naval fleet to counterbalance China’s growing naval presence. Alongside aircraft carriers, stealth frigates, and attack submarines, the K-6 missile is set to become a cornerstone of India’s second-strike nuclear capability.
The K-6 missile, unlike the current generation of cruise missiles like the BrahMos, is a hypersonic SLBM capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 7.5—or approximately 9,261 kilometres per hour. This staggering speed dramatically reduces enemy reaction time and makes interception by conventional missile defence systems virtually impossible.
Designed to be launched from beneath the ocean’s surface, the K-6 missile combines stealth with overwhelming speed. It will not only enable India to strike targets deep inside hostile territory but also project power across vast swathes of the Indo-Pacific. The missile is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads, offering strategic flexibility in both wartime and deterrent scenarios.
According to sources, including a former scientist associated with the BrahMos missile project, the K-6 will have a range of up to 8,000 kilometres—placing it among the longest-range SLBMs in the world. This extended reach will allow India to cover key strategic targets across Asia, including China’s eastern seaboard and all of Pakistan. In a crisis scenario, critical economic and military installations such as Pakistan’s port city of Karachi could be in the crosshairs.
The K-6 follows a clear progression in India’s missile development. While the earlier K-3 had a range of up to 2,000 km, and the K-4 and K-5 missiles extended this to 3,500 km and up to 6,000 km respectively, the K-6 represents a quantum leap in both range and sophistication.
A key feature of the K-6 is its integration with the upcoming S-5 class SSBNs (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines), which are larger and more advanced than the current Arihant-class submarines. The S-5 submarines are expected to be around 12 metres long and 2 metres wide, with the capability to carry two to three tonnes of warheads.
Importantly, the K-6 missile is being designed with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) capability—allowing a single missile to carry and deploy multiple warheads at different targets. This not only enhances its strike efficiency but also complicates the adversary’s missile defence calculations.
Once fully developed and deployed, the K-6 will significantly enhance India’s nuclear triad, particularly its sea-based deterrent leg. Coupled with the land-based Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile, the K-6 ensures that India maintains credible second-strike capabilities, a cornerstone of its nuclear doctrine.
The development of such a weapon also signals India’s entry into an elite group of nations with hypersonic SLBM capabilities—joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.
With trials expected in the near future, the K-6 hypersonic missile is set to become a game-changer for India’s defence posture, ensuring the Navy is equipped not just to defend but to deter and dominate in a rapidly evolving maritime security landscape.
