Bay of Bengal No Fly Zone: Bhatar is once again going to do something big. This is the reason why NOTAM (Notice to Airmen/Air Mission) has been issued for up to 2520 kilometers in the strategically important Bay of Bengal. This means that on the fixed date and time, neither any aircraft will pass through the concerned route in the Bay of Bengal nor any ship will travel through this route. Its purpose is to prevent any kind of accident. India has announced a no-fly zone of two and a half thousand kilometers in the Bay of Bengal at a time when for some reason there is an outcry and unrest in the neighboring countries Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, the Election Commission office was set on fire by the common people, while in Pakistan, former chief of ISI, the intelligence agency considered loyal to the country, Faiz Hameed has been court martialed.
DRDO has scheduled a missile test in the Bay of Bengal between 17 and 20 December 2025. Due to this, a huge no fly and no ship zone of up to 2520 kilometers has been declared. This NOTAM will be applicable daily from 6 am to 6 pm (as per Indian time). This is much larger than the 1480 km area of the test conducted in October, which indicates that a long-range missile may be tested this time. Civil aircraft and ships will have to change their routes due to security reasons. The Indian Air Force and Navy will monitor this area, as there is a possibility of debris falling during the test.
There will also be a ban on flying planes in the Bay of Bengal. (File photo/PTI)
What is DRDO’s planning?
Now the question arises that what is the planning of DRDO that NOTAM has been issued for an area of more than two and a half thousand kilometers. According to the report of ‘Indian Defense News’, the nature of this trial matches that of K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). This is India’s modern solid fuel missile, which is based on the Agni missile series. The objective of the K-4 program is to develop a nuclear-capable submarine-launched missile to strengthen the maritime component of India’s nuclear triad (land-water-air). It overcomes the limitations of the short distance K-15 Sagarika. This missile, developed under the leadership of DRDO’s Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), is based on Agni-III technology, which increases its security and second strike capability. Its development started after the launch of INS Arihant in 2009.
What is NOTAM?
NOTAM means Notice to Airmen. This is an official notice, through which pilots and airlines are given important information related to flight.
Why is NOTAM issued?
NOTAM is issued when there is a threat to flight in an area or when there is a special activity (e.g. missile test, military exercise, runway closure).
What impact will NOTAM have on common people?
This will not have a direct impact on the common people, but routes of some international flights may be changed or flights may be delayed.
Why is NOTAM necessary?
This is necessary to ensure flight and maritime safety, so that no accidents occur.
Why is it so special?
INS Arihant (commissioned in 2016) and INS Arighat (2024) are armed with 4 K-4 missiles each. This number will increase to 8 in S4 category submarines (after 2025). By mid-2025, K-4 had achieved full operational capability on Arihant class nuclear submarines. The NOTAM issued in the Bay of Bengal (2520–3550 km area) between 17–20 December 2025 is possibly for further validation or user trials of the K-4. K-4 missile can target China and Pakistan from safe sea depths. Its strike capability is much greater than the 750 km range of the K-15, thereby completing India’s Nuclear Tirade. Subsequently, K-5 (5000+ km range in testing) and K-6 (8000 km MIRV capability) missiles are being developed for S5 class submarines by 2030s. Production is being increased using indigenous technology, which is linked to the expansion of the Eastern Naval Fleet at Visakhapatnam.
What are the technical features?
The K-4 missile has a length of 10–12 m, diameter of 1.3 m and weight of 17–20 tonnes. It can carry a payload of up to 1–2 tonnes, which may also include MIRV warheads. Its range is 3000–3500 km (up to 4000 km at low load). It has an inertial navigation system, which is integrated with GPS/NavIC, due to which its accuracy remains less than 10 meters (CEP). It can be launched from a submarine at a depth of 20–50 meters and is connected to the Arihant class vertical launch system.
