New Delhi: In a major boost to the fire power of the Navy and boosting coastal security, India on January 18 successfully test-fired the 3,500 km strike range nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile off the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

The test-firing was carried out from an underwater platform in the sea during the daytime, official sources said.

The missile is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for being deployed on the fleet of the Arihant Class nuclear submarines being built by India.

India is expected to carry out more tests of the missile before it is ready for being equipped on the nuclear submarines. At the moment, only the first nuclear submarine INS Arihant is operational for the Navy.

K-4 is one of the two underwater missiles that are being developed by India for its submarine force.

The other one is the over 700-kilometre strike range BO-5.