While India could have only covered certain parts of Pakistan with K-15, K-4 enables it to have wider range covering not just whole of Pakistan but also large part of China.
The AUKUS deal was signed in 2021 with the US pushing out France, which was in talks with Australia to sell 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines.
Satellite images from Planet Labs from June appear to show cranes at Wuchang shipyard, where the nuclear-powered attack submarine would have been docked.
Submarine can carry 12 K-15 ballistic missiles with a range of 750 km or 4 K-4 missiles with range up to 3,500 km. Major step in strengthening country's second-strike capabilities.
These submarines are 170m long & estimated to travel up to 29 knots once submerged. They stand out in stealth capabilities compared to their predecessors & can carry 16 Bulava missiles.
Deal envisages sale of American US Virginia class submarines to Canberra & development of a new nuclear-powered submarine. Beijing calls it ‘serious nuclear proliferation’.
Congressional Research Service report highlights challenges in expanding fleet. Schedule could derail regional plans to counter Beijing’s growing power over Indian & Pacific Oceans.
Chinese efforts at surveying and prying underwater, especially in the Indian Ocean region, have not ceased, and are likely to continue in the future too.
French newspaper La Tribune earlier last week indicated that UAE withdrew from deal to fund EUR 3.5 billion. India is looking to order 114 new Rafales, which could include the F5.
China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.
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