New Delhi:

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi today confirmed that India has tested the 3,500-km range nuclear-capable missile from a ballistic missile submarine believed to be the recently commissioned INS Arighaat. Speaking to the media ahead of Navy Day, he, however, said that more data was awaited on the trajectory of the missile.

The K-4 missile was reportedly tested from submarine INS Arighaat – which was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29 – off the coast of Visakhapatnam on November 27.

According to reports, it was the first test of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submarine.

With the K-4 missile test, India also became part of a small group of countries that can fire a nuclear missile from land, air and undersea.

India has significantly enhanced its overall military capabilities and test-fired a range of missiles with varying ranges in the past few years.

Admiral Tripathi also said the government’s approval for two SSNs (nuclear-powered submarines) indicated its “faith” in the country’s indigenous capabilities to build such boats.

Admiral Tripathi also said that 62 ships and a submarine are currently under construction within the country as part of efforts to boost its naval power.

A large number of platforms are waiting for induction in the next one year and at least one ship will be inducted into the Navy, he said.

“We have redoubled efforts to include niche technologies into the force,” the Navy Chief said.

He also said the procurement of Rafale-M (naval variant) and the Scorpene submarines is likely to be finalised next month. Last year, the defence ministry approved the purchase of the Rafale-M jets from France, primarily for deployment on board the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Admiral Tripathi also said they have kept a “close watch” on the activities of extra-regional forces operating in the Indian Ocean region, including the Chinese Navy.

“Whether it is their warships or their research vessels, we know who is doing what, where and how,” he said.

He also said they were aware of the “surprising growth” of the Pakistan Navy, which aims to become a 50-ship Navy.

“They have chosen weapons over the welfare of their people,” he said.

Khordha (Odisha):

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi praised the Agniveer scheme during the passing out parade of the fourth batch of Agniveers in Odisha, stating that the initiative is progressing well.

Admiral Tripathi noted that over 2,500 Agniveers have completed their training in the first three batches.

“I was the Chief of Personnel in 2022 when the Agnipath scheme was introduced. Now, two years later, we have just seen the fourth batch pass out on Friday from our premier training establishment, INS Chilka. The scheme is going well. We have trained more than 2,500 Agniveers in the first three batches,” Tripathi said on Friday.

“This batch includes nearly 1,429 Agniveers, with around 300 of them being women. I have observed the Agniveers here at Chilka during the first batch, seen them on ships, and again today. I see great hope in them — they are highly motivated, enthusiastic, and I am confident they are fully integrated into the Indian Navy,” he added.

The passing out parade (POP) of the fourth batch of Agniveers was held on Friday at INS Chilka, the Indian Navy’s premier training establishment in Odisha.

The POP not only marked the successful completion of 16 weeks of initial Naval training for the Agniveers but also signaled the beginning of their journey in the Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future Ready Indian Navy.

The training at Chilka encompassed academic instruction, various aspects of naval service, and outdoor training, all grounded in the core values of duty, honor, and courage.

The Agnipath scheme, announced by the government in June 2022, is designed to promote a youthful profile within the Armed Forces. Those recruited under the scheme are known as ‘Agniveers.’

The government has stated that there will be numerous job opportunities and other avenues for those not retained in the defense forces after four years.

Upon completion of their four-year tenure, approximately 25 percent of the Agniveers will be retained in the Indian Armed Forces as regular cadres for a minimum of 15 years. The remaining Agniveers will receive assistance for further employment opportunities. They will be given a Seva Nidhi Package of Rs 11.71 lakhs upon their exit, which will be exempt from Income Tax. However, there will be no pension benefits.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)