India Issues NOTAM Over Bay of Bengal

📡

DEFENSE BRIEF: BAY OF BENGAL

NOTAM ALERT LEVEL: ACTIVE

Dec 22-24, 2025

Range: ~3,240 KM

Strategic Update • Dec 2025

India Issues NOTAM for Potential Long-Range Missile Test

A new aviation warning establishes a significant "no-fly zone" off the Visakhapatnam coast. Defense analysts suspect a test of the K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM).

Operational Window

The restrictions are effective from December 22 to December 24, 2025.

This section details the specific logistical parameters of the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). The current alert serves as a successor to a previously issued window (Dec 17-20), suggesting a rescheduling of the strategic trial.

Origin

Visakhapatnam / Odisha Coast

Test Type

Sea-Based (Likely)

Safety Protocol

⚠️ NOTAM Issued: Mandatory protocol to alert pilots and maritime operators. Ensures civilian air traffic and shipping lanes remain clear of trajectory and splashdown zones.

Likely Candidate: K-4 SLBM

Given the 3,240 km flight corridor, analysts point to the K-4. This is a nuclear-capable intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile.

• ⚓
  Platform Designed for Arihant-class submarines.
• 🎯
  Capabilities Nuclear-capable, high accuracy, intermediate range.
• 📉
  Trajectory Depressed trajectory capable (harder to intercept).

Completing the Nuclear Triad

The successful deployment of the K-4 is critical for India's Second-Strike Capability—the ability to launch a nuclear counter-attack even after absorbing a first strike.

1. Land Leg (Agni Series) ▼

Mobile land-based missiles like Agni-V provide long-range deterrence but are easier to detect than submarines.

2. Air Leg (Fighter Jets) ▼

Aircraft like Rafale and Mirage 2000 capable of delivering nuclear payloads. Flexible but vulnerable to air defense.

3. Sea Leg (SSBNs - Focus of Test) ▼

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs). The most survivable leg. The K-4 allows submarines to strike from safe distances ("stand-off" ranges) within the Indian Ocean.

Analysis: Range Capabilities

Comparing the notified corridor length (3,240 km) against standard missile classes.

Data Source: Estimated ranges based on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).

Flight Profile Simulator

Visualize the ballistic trajectory scale. Adjust the slider to see how range impacts flight apex.

3240 Simulated Range (km)

Short Range (500km) Target (3240km) ICBM (5000km+)

Sources

Based on open-source intelligence and aviation notifications available as of December 19, 2025.

Information is speculative based on NOTAM data.
Government confirmation is pending.