submarine-launched ballistic missile
Quick Summary
A submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is a ballistic missile that can be launched from a submarine. These missiles are a key component of a nuclear power's strategic arsenal, primarily serving as a deterrent against enemy attack.12
SLBMs are designed to be launched from submarines, making them difficult to locate and destroy. This survivability is crucial because it ensures that a nation can retaliate even if its land-based missile sites are attacked, a concept known as a "first strike".2
The development of SLBMs accelerated with the advent of nuclear-powered submarines, which allowed for continuous submerged operation. Early SLBMs, like the Soviet SS-N-4 Sark, had limited range and required surface launch. However, later systems, such as the U.S. Polaris and subsequent Trident missiles, offered significantly greater range and accuracy, capable of carrying nuclear warheads over thousands of miles. Several nations, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and India, operate submarines armed with SLBMs.23
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