India test-fires submarine-launched ballistic missile

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) – India successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from INS Arihant, said a statement issued by the Defense Ministry on Friday.

"The missile was tested to a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high accuracy. All operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated," the statement said.

INS Arihant, India's first ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was commissioned in August 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The successful user training launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is significant to prove crew competency and validate the SSBN programme, a key element of India's nuclear deterrence capability," according to the statement.