cruise missile from india

Subscribe Now! Get features like

• Latest News

• Entertainment
• Real Estate
• Lok Sabha Session Live
• T20 World Cup 2024
• Crickit Predictor
• World Cup Schedule 2024
• World Cup Most Wickets
• World Cup Points Table
• Budget 2024
• The Interview
• Web Stories
• Virat Kohli
• Mumbai News
• Bengaluru News
• Daily Digest
• Election Schedule 2024

Nirbhay cruise missile test-fired; indigenous engine a success, say officials

An official said that next test firing will be done in mission mode before user trial for air force and navy. this was the first successful test-firing with the indigenous booster engine after the previous one had to be aborted in october last year after eight minutes flying time..

After the October 2020 failed test, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday fired the 1,000-km range Nirbhay cruise missile from Chandipur testing facility in Odisha. The sub-sonic cruise missile was fired at 9:55am and was tested for 100 km in flight and 15 minutes in time.

The firing was a partial success. According to DRDO sources, the indigenous engine was successfully tested but the delivery platform came down due to inexplicable reasons. "Maybe a snag in the controller, but the engine worked well. Next test firing will be done in mission mode before user trial for air force and navy," said an official.

This was the first successful test-firing with the indigenous booster engine after the previous one had to be aborted after eight minutes flying time.

Nirbhay is a subsonic missile, flying at a speed of 0.7 to 0.9 Mach, with sea-skimming and terrain-hugging capability that helps the missile stay under enemy radar to avoid detection. It is a two-stage missile with first stage using solid fuel and the second using liquid fuel. It carries a convention warhead of 300 kilograms weight and can hit targets upto 1500 km range. The missile is capable of flying between 50 metres to four km from ground and pick up the target before engaging and destroying it.

The missile also has a loitering capability that allows the delivery platform to manoeuvre mid-flight and at the end to hit the target by doing inflight course corrections. It can be fired from sea, land and through mobile launchers.

The missile is now going to be handed over to the army, which will conduct three more tests before inducting it. After induction, Nirbhay is expected to be deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) amid the stand-off with China at multiple points in East Ladakh.

Get World Cup ready with Crickit ! From live scores to match stats, catch all the action here. Explore now!

Get Current Updates on India News , Budget 2024 , Weather Today along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.

• Nirbhay Missile
• Line Of Actual Control

Join Hindustan Times

Create free account and unlock exciting features like.

• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Weather Today
• HT Newsletters
• Subscription
• Print Ad Rates
• Code of Ethics

• Live Cricket Score
• India Squad
• T20 World Cup Schedule
• Cricket Teams
• Cricket Players
• ICC Rankings
• Cricket Schedule
• Points Table
• T20 World Cup Australia Squad
• Pakistan Squad
• T20 World Cup England Squad
• India T20 World Cup Squad Live
• T20 World Cup Most Wickets
• T20 World Cup New Zealand Squad
• Other Cities
• Income Tax Calculator
• Petrol Prices
• Diesel Prices
• Silver Rate
• Relationships
• Art and Culture
• Taylor Swift: A Primer
• Telugu Cinema
• Tamil Cinema
• Board Exams
• Exam Results
• Competitive Exams
• BBA Colleges
• Engineering Colleges
• Medical Colleges
• BCA Colleges
• Medical Exams
• Engineering Exams
• Horoscope 2024
• Festive Calendar 2024
• Compatibility Calculator
• The Economist Articles
• Lok Sabha States
• Lok Sabha Parties
• Lok Sabha Candidates
• Explainer Video
• On The Record
• Vikram Chandra Daily Wrap
• EPL 2023-24
• ISL 2023-24
• Asian Games 2023
• Public Health
• Economic Policy
• International Affairs
• Climate Change
• Gender Equality
• future tech
• Daily Sudoku
• Daily Crossword
• Daily Word Jumble
• HT Friday Finance
• Explore Hindustan Times
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Subscription - Terms of Use

• Entertainment
• Sports Podcasts Better Planet Vault Mightier Autos Newsletters Unconventional Vantage Experts Voices
• Subscribe for $1
• Better Planet
• Newsletters
• Unconventional

Footage Shows Indian Warship Firing Supersonic Cruise Missile

The Indian Navy on Wednesday released new footage demonstrating the launch of a homemade missile that could one day be used to strike Chinese targets.

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile—developed by India- Russia joint venture BrahMos Aerospace—carried out a "successful engagement of [a] land target at enhanced range," India's navy said on X, formerly known as Twitter .

Video and pictures from the latest test showed a countdown followed by the weapon's firing from the deck of an unnamed naval vessel—possibly a Rajput-class destroyer—at an undisclosed location—likely somewhere in the Indian Ocean .

Indian authorities had earlier issued no-fly zone for January 22-23 in the Arabian Sea just off its west coast, and for January 24-25 in a section of the Bay of Bengal.

• US could face Taiwan crisis in 2024, analysts say
• Kim Jong Un tears down unification monument as North-South ties collapse
• Chart shows China's economy losing ground against US
• China's new ally responds to controversial spy ship visit

The successful demonistration of India's "precision strike capabity from combat- and mission-ready ships" was validation of New Delhi's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" policy, the Indian Navy said.

The phrase introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi means "self-reliant India," and now is a government program to promote a domestic industrial base , including the production of advanced defense equipment.

The BrahMos is a two-stage supersonic cruise missile that operates on the self-guided "fire-and-forget" principle. Its land-attack and anti-ship variants can be launched from multiple platforms including from the air, sea, undersea and ground vehicles.

India's Defense Research and Development Organization—part of the Defense Ministryin New Delhi—leads the Indian side of the intiative. Moscow's stake is through rocket designer NPO Mashinostroyeniya, a missile manufacturer sanctioned by the United States in 2014.

The Indian Navy and the DRDO conducted two consecutive sea attack tests of the extended-range BrahMos in order to validate its effectiveness in naval warfare , according to the Indian Defense Ministry's year-end review in 2023.

Both launches took place last November, when the supersonic cruise missiles, whose range was extended from 180 miles to over 310 miles, were launched from a Rajput-class warship as well as the INS Imphal , the third ship of India's latest Visakhapatnam class of guided-missile destroyers.

New Delhi's report also reaffirmed the BrahMos missile as one of the platforms being exported to foreign markets, placing Indian weaponry in the hands of some of China's closest neighbors .

One of those is the Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, which is scheduled to receive its first batch of BrahMos missiles this year. Amid rising tensions between Beijing and Manila over disputed territories in the South China Sea , the anti-ship weapon is expected to greatly boost the Philippines' capacity to defend its coastal waters.

Indian maritime security expert Pooja Bhatt told the EurAsianTimes website last month that the Philippines' BrahMos missiles send a strong signal to potential adversaries about Manila's commitment to safeguarding territorial sovereignty .

The Indian-made cruise missile are confirmed to be deployed by the Philippine Marine Corps, while the Philippine Army is also expecting a future delivery of the capability, according to Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Philippines armed forces.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer

Aadil Brar is a reporter for Newsweek based in Taipei, Taiwan. He covers international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian security. Aadil previously reported for the BBC World Service. He holds degrees from the University of British Columbia and SOAS, University of London. Send tips or suggestions to Aadil at [email protected].

• Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
• Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
• Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
• Comment on articles
• Newsweek app updates on-the-go

Top stories

City in California Warns Residents 'Do Not Drink' the Water

Map Shows Where Millions Asked to Delay Trips to Gas Stations

Republican Ripped for Calling IVF 'Morally Wrong'

Satellite Images Show Secretive Underwater Drone Docked at Navy Base

Monthly CA | 2025 Test Series | Daily CA | Daily MCQs

Ballistic Missile vs. Cruise Missile, India’s Missile Systems, IGMDP

• August 2, 2019

Subscribe to Never Miss an Important Update! Assured Discounts on New Products!

Must Join PMF IAS Telegram Channel & PMF IAS History Telegram Channel

We frequently notice news related to ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and various missile systems of India. Memorizing names and salient features of various Indian missiles is hard without having a broader understanding of the concept of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, and major missile defence systems. It is better to give these concepts a holistic structure rather than learning them in bits and pieces.

Ballistic Missile vs. Cruise Missile

The Hindu | GS3 > indigenization of technology

The terms ‘ballistic missile’ and ‘cruise missile’ appear in news articles wherever there is a missile test. It is essential for us to understand these terms to understand various Indian missile defence systems.

Ballistic Missile

• A ballistic missile follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver one or more warheads on a predetermined target.
• A ballistic trajectory is the path of an object that is launched but has no active propulsion during its actual flight (these weapons are guided only during relatively brief periods of flight).
• Consequently, the trajectory is fully determined by a given initial velocity, effects of gravity, air resistance, and motion of the earth (Coriolis Force).

Image Credits: Wikipedia

• Shorter range ballistic missiles stay within the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Longer-ranged intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), are launched on a sub-orbital flight trajectory and spend most of their flight out of the atmosphere.

Types of ballistic missiles based on the range

• Short-range (tactical) ballistic missile (SRBM): Range between 300 km and 1,000 km.
• Medium-range (theatre) ballistic missile (MRBM): 1,000 km to 3,500 km.
• Intermediate-range (Long-Range) ballistic missile (IRBM or LRBM): 3,500 km and 5,500 km.
• Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): 5,500 km +

Cruise missile

• A cruise missile is a guided missile (target has to be pre-set) used against terrestrial targets.
• It remains in the atmosphere throughout its flight.
• It flies the major portion of its flight path at approximately constant speed.
• Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high precision.
• Modern cruise missiles are capable of travelling at supersonic or high subsonic speeds, are self-navigating, and are able to fly on a non-ballistic, extremely low-altitude trajectory.

Types of cruise missiles based on speed

• Hypersonic (Mach 5): these missiles would travel at least five times the speed of sound (Mach 5). E.g. BrahMos-II.
• Supersonic (Mach 2-3): these missiles travel faster than the speed of sound. E.g. BrahMos.
• Subsonic (Mach 0.8): these missiles travel slower than the speed of sound. E.g. Nirbhay.

Differences between Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile

Integrated guided missile development programme (igmdp).

PIB | Source | The Hindu | 19-06-2019 | GS3 > indigenization of technology

• IGMDP was conceived by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in missile technology.
• IGMDP was conceived in response to the Missile Technology Control Regime that decided to restrict access to any technology that would help India in its missile development program.
• To counter the MTCR, the IGMDP team formed a consortium of DRDO laboratories, industries and academic institutions to build these sub-systems, components and materials.
• IGMDP was started in 1983 and completed in March 2012.
• Keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the defence forces, the development of five missile systems was taken up.
• Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile (Prithivi means Earth Surface to Surface)
• Agni: Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile
• Trishul: Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile
• Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile (Akash means Sky Surface to Air)
• Nag: Third generation anti-tank missile (Nag means Snake Nag slithers like a Snake to hit a tank!)
• After its success, the Agni missile program was separated from the IGMDP upon realizing its strategic importance.

India’s Missile Systems

PIB | Source | The Hindu | GS3 > indigenization of technology

SLBM: Sub-marine launched ballistic missile

Prithvi Missiles

All the Prithvi variants are surface-to-surface SRBMs.

Agni Missiles

MIRV: Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle

Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT)

• In March 2019, India successfully tested its ASAT missile.
• The ASAT missile destroyed a live satellite in Low Earth orbit (283-kilometre).
• As per DRDO, the missile is capable of shooting down targets moving at a speed of 10 km per second at an altitude as high as 1200 km.

Newsletter Updates

Assured Discounts on our New Products!

Related Posts

Genome, Whole Genome Sequencing, Genome India Project

• June 4, 2021

Precision Farming, Geoinformatics for Precision Farming

• November 30, 2019

Nuclear Fission, Components of Nuclear Reactor, Types of Nuclear Reactors

• January 2, 2020

Kepler’s laws, Satellite Orbits, Launch Vehicles PSLV & GSLV

• December 3, 2020

Lithium-ion battery, Internal Combustion Engine vs. Electric Vehicles

• November 9, 2019

Uranium & Thorium Distribution across India & World

• April 6, 2020

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme

• March 21, 2016

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance & Magnetic Resonance Imaging

• May 11, 2021

wonderful sir

Thanks a lot for this fantastic compilation sir!

I was unable to find such complied information on internet, but I found it here. Thanks a lot to PMFIAS

Thanks a lot

What a work sirji. Thank you so much

Thanks for very useful information and systematic content is systematic view of point very fantastic please keep it up latest update by geneon source like Hindu PIB arc etc

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name  *

Email  *

Add Comment  *

Post Comment

Trending now

Never miss an important update!

• Missiles of the World

Missiles of India

India’s missile arsenal serves a number of purposes in New Delhi’s defense strategy. Foremost, it support’s New Delhi’s nuclear deterrent posture against its main rivals Pakistan and China. The latter requirement has pushed India to develop longer-range missiles and to diversify its delivery platforms beyond mobile land-based missiles. To this end, India is developing ship- and sub-launched ballistic missiles and has collaborated with Russia on cruise missile development.

Ostensibly these developments are all to support India’s minimum deterrence doctrine. Yet as India’s missile arsenal develops, its nuclear doctrine may also evolve. This potential development is highlighted, for example, by Indian investment in multiple independently-guided reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology. Still, there is little discussion in India about abandoning its declared no-first-use policy.

India Test Launches Indigenous Cruise Missile

India has test-launched its Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) powered by a domestically-developed engine, news outlets reported, citing sources.

This was the fourth test of the technology demonstrator, coming after a failure in October.

The ITCM is based on the Nirbhay long-range subsonic cruise missile, featuring the indigenous small turbofan engine (STFE). The Nirbhay is powered by a Russian NPO Saturn 36MT engine.

Indigenous Engine, RF Seeker 

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment-developed STFE is a twin-spool generic engine with a thrust of 460 Kilograms. 

The missile features an upgraded radio frequency seeker developed by the Defense Research Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory Research Centre Imarat.

Previous Test Launches

The DRDO first test launched the ICTM in 2020. The trial saw the missile deviate from its predetermined path, forcing the control room to destroy it mid-air.

Its second launch was partially successful, as the engine performed properly despite the missile again deviating from its original flight path.  

The missile’s engine malfunctioned in its third test launch, marking its second failure in three attempts.

New Cruise Missile Demonstrator

The ICTM is the precursor of the long-range land attack cruise missile program being developed for land and sea. The versions are expected to strike targets 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) away.

“The engine will be used in long-range cruise missiles after a couple of more tests. Once the perfection is achieved, several variants of the cruise missile equipped with a turbofan engine can be developed in the future,” The New Indian Express quoted a source as saying.

Subscribe to our mailing list

Related articles.

Indian Military to Buy 10 Tapas Surveillance Drones

Indian Maoists Kill Two Security Forces in Roadside Blast

MBDA Unveils Ground-Based Cruise Missile Capable of ‘Deep Strikes’

Nuclear Arms Spending Soars as Global Tensions Swell: Studies

Two Suspected Militants, Trooper Killed in Indian Kashmir Clashes

Gunmen Attack Hindu Pilgrim Bus in India’s Kashmir, Nine Killed: Police

Indian Su-30MKI Helicopter Crashes, Pilots Survive

India Flight Tests Indigenous Upgraded SEAD Missile

Indian security fores kill eight maoist rebels.

Indian Army Introduces Hexacopter Drone Armed With Machine Gun

India tests long-range cruise missile for precision-strike capabilities

Visual Stories

Brahmos missile enhances our defence, deterrent capabilities: Philippines envoy Josel Francisco Ignacio

T he Philippines Ambassador to India, Josel Francisco Ignacio, has said that the Brahmos missiles procured from India give a significant boost to his country's defence and deterrent capabilities. The Philippines has signed a deal worth $375 million to purchase three batteries of the BrahMos missile system from India. 

Speaking at an ORF media interaction, the ambassador said, "We had a missile deal, between Philippines and Brahmos, that was a contract signed in 2022, and it is a great milestone for both the countries. It is a game changer for the Philippines". The first batch of the export variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from India arrived in the Philippines on April 19, 2024. The shipment was brought to the Philippines aboard a C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

He highlighted that "Brahmos gives us credible defence and deterrent capabilities. For India, the significance is that it is the first overseas export of the Brahmos, an affirmation of India's own rising capabilities, of its own indigenous defence industry. So, it expands India's defence capabilities footprint overseas. Working with India, Brahmos towards the fulfilment of the full contract". 

The BrahMos missile, developed jointly by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is a supersonic cruise missile capable of reaching speeds of about 2.8 Mach.

Ambassador Ignacio detailed that the acquisition is part of his country's plans for modernisation. He pointed out, "Philippines has looked at India as one of the main sources of defence equipment for AFP or Armed Forces of Philippines modernization. Our Armed Forces are on the 3rd horizon for revised modernisation program which focuses on defending the archipelago. We are looking to procure ships, aircraft, radar weapons, items that will help boost our maritime domain awareness and defend our entitlements, defend our EEZ."

In addition to missile procurement, the defence relationship between the Philippines and India includes comprehensive military training exchanges. "We also have military training exchanges. Defence cooperation extends to training and education. It is gaining momentum. For the first time since the 1970s, we have Philippines officers training in the Indian military academy in Dehradun. This is the first time in 50 years. We have officers enrolled at the officer training academy in Chennai," the ambassador elaborated.

Also read:  Dramatic video shows Chinese coast guards attacking Philippine naval vessels with knives, axes

Maritime cooperation has also seen significant advancement with joint exercises, training, and port calls being undertaken regularly. "We have maritime cooperation, we have seen a flurry of activity, from joint exercises, to training, to port calls, to dialogues. Underpinning the intensification are agreements. Our coast guards have signed an MOU for enhanced maritime cooperation. We are sharing white shipping information, that facilitates exchange on merchant shipping which ultimately contributes to maritime safety and security in the region," Ambassador Ignacio explained.

Watch: Chinese coast guard board Philippines' Navy boat, after ramming into the Filipino vessel

In December 2023, India and the Philippines held a maritime partnership exercise. Last month, Indian Navy ships INS Delhi, INS Shakti and INS Kiltan visited the Philippines. The visit was part of the Operational Deployment of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea. During the visit, personnel from both navies engaged in a wide range of professional interactions including Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), sports fixtures, and cross-deck visits. 

• International
• Today’s Paper
• T20 World Cup
• Express Shorts
• Mini Crossword
• Premium Stories
• Health & Wellness

Explained: India’s missile capability, and where it stands in relation to its neighbours

🔴 defence minister rajnath singh has urged drdo scientists to work towards developing hypersonic missile technology. what missiles has india developed so far, and where does it stand in relation to its neighbours.

At a seminar organised by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) last Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh encouraged scientists to work towards developing hypersonic missile technology. China had demonstrated its hypersonic missile capability with successful tests of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) which, according to reports, circled the globe but missed its target by just a few kilometres.

What is the history of missile technology in India?

Before Independence, several kingdoms in India were using rockets as part of their warfare technologies. Mysore ruler Hyder Ali started inducting iron-cased rockets in his army in the mid-18th century. By the time Hyder’s son Tipu Sultan died, a company of rocketeers was attached to each brigade of his army, which has been estimated at around 5,000 rocket-carrying troops.

At the time of Independence, India did not have any indigenous missile capabilities. The government created the Special Weapon Development Team in 1958. This was later expanded and called the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), which moved from Delhi to Hyderabad by 1962.

“In 1972, Project Devil, for the development of a medium range Surface-to-Surface Missile was initiated. A large number of infrastructure and test facilities were established during this period.” DRDO’s official history of the lab states. “The development of components / systems for Project Devil formed the technology base for the future IGMDP Programme,” says DRDO. By 1982, DRDL was working on several missile technologies under the Integrated Guided Missiles Development Programme (IGMDP).

What kind of missiles does India have?

India is considered among the top few nations when it comes to designing and developing missiles indigenously, although it is way behind the US, China and Russia in terms of range.

DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy told The Indian Express that DRDO is “working on multiple varieties of missiles”. Among the surface-launched systems:

Today India successfully testfired the nuclear-capable strategic Agni Prime missile off the coast of Odisha from Balasore. pic.twitter.com/fJWa3j5RVt — ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2021

ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE: Nag has already been inducted into the services. Reddy said Nag is the only “fire-and-forget ATGM meeting all weather requirements for its range (around 20 km)”. Recently Heli-Nag was tested, which will be operated from helicopters and will be inducted by 2022, said Reddy. There is also a Stand-off Anti-Tank (SANT) missile, with a range over 10 km. Tested from Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters on December 11, it has a millimetre wave seeker, which enhances target detection in all weather conditions. Reddy said “man-portable ATGMs” are also available.

SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE: The short-range SAM system Akash has already been inducted in the Army and the Air Force. For Akash 1, which has a seeker, the Army has already got the Acceptance of Necessity from the government, Reddy said. For Akash (New Generation), the first tests were conducted in July this year; Reddy said a couple more trials are to be done.

Medium-Range SAM: Production of MRSAM systems for the Navy is complete, and it is placing its order, Reddy said. The Jaisalmer-based 2204 Squadron of the Air Force became the first unit to get the MRSAM systems in September this year. Technology for MRSAM for the Army “is also in a good shape and will be flight-tested soon”.

Short-Range SAM: For the Navy, the first flight tests have been successfully conducted.

Reddy also mentioned several air-launched systems:

AIR-TO-AIR: Astra, India’s Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), has been completely tested and is under induction. It has a range of around 100 km, and DRDO is trying to now induct it with more IAF platforms, including the domestically developed light combat aircraft Tejas. A long-range Astra is also being developed, for which initial tests have been conducted. The missile uses solid fuel ramjet technology, which enhances speed, and will have an indigenously-built seeker.

AIR-TO-GROUND: Rudram, a New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGRAM), has cleared initial tests and “some more tests will be conducted soon.” With a maximum range of around 200 km, the missile mainly targets communication, radar and surveillance systems of the adversary, and was tested from the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet last year. Reddy mentioned that BrahMos, which India developed jointly with Russia, is already operational. It has a 300 km to 500 km range, and is a short-range, ramjet-powered, single warhead, supersonic anti-ship or land attack cruise missile.

Reddy said a supersonic missile-assisted torpedo system was successfully launched from Wheeler Island last Monday. It “carried a torpedo and delivered it at a longer range” and will enhance Navy anti-submarine capability with a range of around 400 km, Reddy said.

Which of India’s missile systems are most important?

The two most important are Agni and Prithvi, both being used by the Strategic Forces Command.

Agni (range around 5,000 ) , is India’s only contender for an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is available with only a few countries. Prithvi, although a short-range surface-to-surface missile with a 350 km range, has strategic uses. India also tested a anti-satellite system in April 2019. A modified anti-ballistic missile named Prithvi Defence Vehicle Mk 2 was used to hit a low-orbit satellite. It put India only behind the US, Russia and China in this capability.

What about hypersonic technology?

India has been working on this for a few years, and is just behind the US, Russia and China. DRDO successfully tested a Hypersonic Technology Demonstrated Vehicle (HSTDV) in September 2020, and demonstrated its hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology.

According to sources, India has developed its own cryogenic engine and demonstrated it in a 23-second flight. India will try to make a hypersonic cruise missile, using HSTDV.

Sources said only Russia has proven its hypersonic missile capability so far, while China has demonstrated its HGV capacity. India is expected to be able to have a hypersonic weapons system within four years, with medium- to long-range capabilities.

What makes India good in missile technology?

Lt Gen V K (retired) Chaturvedi, who had headed the Army’s artillery’s modernisation programme, said missile technology is “one field in which India has made very, very positive and substantial progress”.

Under the IGMP then headed by A P J Abdul Kalam, later India’s President, first came Prithvi, then Agni. BrahMos, at 2.5-3 times the speed of sound, was among the fastest in the world when developed, Chaturvedi said. “After the nuclear blast in 1998, cryogenic etc were not given to us. Kalam and others, they made it a point that they developed it within the country.”

Chaturvedi said the US is leading in missile technology, and China is building up”. India is also “at a very advanced stage” among the top three or four nations .

With India’s missiles, Chaturvedi said “today our basic opponent, area of interest is northern border [China]. In the western border [Pakistan] we cover the whole area”.

With Agni V ready, he said, India is working on Agni VI and Agni VII, which should have a much longer range. He mentioned that Prithvi, which DRDO developed in consultation with the armed forces, “was originally with the Army, and went to the Strategic Forces” but is expected to be back to the Army later. Pinaka rocket systems have also been developed in close coordination with the user agencies, he said.

Where do China and Pakistan stand compared to India?

While China is ahead of India, Chaturvedi believes a “lot of things about China are psychological”.

According to a Pentagon report in 2020, China may have either achieved parity, or even exceeded the US in land-based conventional ballistic and cruise missile capabilities.

Chaturvedi said China’s missile development is “definitely a concern for us, but we will definitely evolve”. He said if China strikes a strategic target of India, “we will hit back with equal potential, and hit them at the place where it matters the most.”

Chaturvedi was more dismissive about Pakistan. China has given Pakistan the technology, “but getting a technology and really using it, and thereafter evolving and adopting a policy is totally different”.

He called hypersonic missiles “weapons of deterrence” but will not be used. He believes they “will continue to deter, but unlikely that China will ever use this. But if it does, India will not sit idle.”

On nuclear capability, Chaturvedi said although India does not call BrahMos nuclear, it can be used. India’s only nuclear missiles are Prithvi and Agni, but beyond those, tactical nuclear weapons can be fired from some IAF fighter jets or from Army guns, which have a low range, around 50 km.

Newsletter | Click to get the day’s best explainers in your inbox

Confrontation will continue to define politics Subscriber Only

How do MPs take oath? What happens if an MP Subscriber Only

Cristiano Ronaldo's AI language Subscriber Only

How Shivraj Singh Chouhan can transform Indian agriculture Subscriber Only

‘Americans versus the Americans is the most dangerous war out Subscriber Only

Amid setbacks, first signs of progress in lithium mining in Subscriber Only

‘Graduation’ after 60 kills: Rewilding rescued tigers at MP ‘school’ Subscriber Only

Is your maternity insurance covering all pregnancy costs? Subscriber Only

UPSC Key | Crows, India-Bangladesh Relations, Nalanda University and more Subscriber Only

• Express Explained
• rajnath singh

Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha, after being sworn in as a member of the House. This decision was made at a meeting of Indian party leaders, with Sonia Gandhi informing the Pro tem Speaker of the appointment.

More Explained

Best of Express

EXPRESS OPINION

Jun 26: Latest News

• 01 2 inmates charged with attempted murder after attack on Montana jail guards
• 02 Euro 2024: Austria shock Netherlands 3-2 to finish top of Group D; France held by Poland to end as 2nd
• 03 After Amritpal Singh, another NSA detainee Bajeke might contest Gidderbaha bypoll
• 04 ‘Find it hard to let my children win,’ says Lionel Messi on his fierce competitiveness
• 05 California governor defends progressive values, says they’re an ‘antidote’ to populism on the right
• Elections 2024
• Political Pulse
• Entertainment
• Movie Review
• Newsletters
• Web Stories

• India Today
• Business Today
• Harper's Bazaar
• Brides Today
• Cosmopolitan
• India Today Hindi
• Reader’s Digest
• Aaj Tak Campus

India to test 500-km range submarine-launched cruise missile next month

India is gearing up for the second test of a submarine-launched cruise missile with a 500 km range, scheduled for early march, aiming to enhance its rocket force capabilities..

Listen to Story

• India to test submarine-launched cruise missile in early March
• The newly-developed submarine-launched cruise missile has a range of 500 km
• These cruise missiles will be part of the rocket force to deal with threat perception across frontiers

India is set to conduct a test of a newly-developed Submarine Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) with a 500 km range from an underwater platform in early March, defence sources told India Today.

This will be the second test of the submarine-launched cruise missile. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the developer of the missile, conducted a test in February last year.

The missile is similar to the Nirbhay cruise missile in its capabilities. Notably, the cruise missiles will be part of the rocket force being created by the Indian defence forces to deal with the threat perception across its frontiers.

• IAS Preparation
• UPSC Preparation Strategy
• List Of Major Indian Missiles For UPSC Prelims Exam

Missiles Of India - List Of Types Of Missiles In India

The syllabus of UPSC Prelims examination is vast and diverse. The syllabus of UPSC Prelims exam for general subjects like History, Geography, Economics, Polity, General sciences and CSAT (aptitude) is well defined. The Current affairs segment which is undefined and dynamic is emerging as an inevitable part of the UPSC exam. In this context, candidates have to concentrate on both traditional and current affairs areas.

Defence is an important and dynamic segment in UPSC Syllabus . The commission has asked several questions related to the missile launch, its type, etc. According to recent trends, UPSC tends to ask factual questions more than conceptual ones. This has put the candidates under great pressure as they cannot predict the pattern of questions. To tackle the factual questions, it is essential to know about several facts and figures. The defence is an important area in UPSC Mains and Prelims examination.

To know more about other Government exams , refer to the linked article.

Important Missiles in India – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

Types of Important Indian Missiles

• Surface-To-Air Missiles – SAM
• Air-to-air missiles AAM
• Surface-to-surface missiles
• Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)/Interceptor Missiles
• Cruise Missiles
• Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles
• Anti-Tank Missiles

The below table gives the list of important Missiles which are used by Indian Armed Forces or they are currently at different stages of development:

Note –

Trishul is a  Short-Range surface to air missile with the range of  9 km, there  were problems with this missile as it could not hit its targets. Hence, this programme was officially closed in 2008 by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This missile was not inducted by the Indian Armed Forces. India decided to import Barak Missiles from Israel.

Aspirants can go through a few important links related to Missiles of India for the comprehensive preparation of this topic-

List of Missiles of India is an important static GK topic. For information on various  static GK topics  check the article linked here.

Important Facts – Missiles in India

• The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) was launched in 1983.
• This program was launched with an agenda to develop five missile systems in the country – Trishul, Akash, Nag, Prithvi, and Agni.
• Tessy Thomas who is an Indian scientist and Director General of Aeronautical Systems and the former Project Director for Agni-IV missile in Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) is known as the ‘Missile Woman’ of India.
• Prithvi was the first Indian single staged liquid-fuelled surface-to-surface Missile.

Frequently Asked Questions on Major Indian Missiles

Q 1. what are the different types of indian missiles.

Ans. Given below are the different types of Indian Missiles:

• Surface-To-Air Missiles – SAM
• Missile Defence (BMD)/Interceptor Missiles

Q 2. Who is known as the ‘Missile Woman of India’?

Related Links:

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

IAS 2024 - Your dream can come true!

Download the ultimate guide to upsc cse preparation, register with byju's & download free pdfs, register with byju's & watch live videos.

Missiles of India Types, List, Range, Facts

Missiles of India: In this article you will learn about important Indian missile and its list with their range. For more information read the full article. UPSC, Keynotes PDF

Table of Contents

Missiles of India

A missile is also referred to as a guided missile in military jargon. A guided missile is a self-propelled flying weapon that is typically driven by a fighter jet engine or rocket motor. An object that can be launched, shot, or pushed toward a target is referred to as a missile in everyday speech. In most competitive tests, the defense is a significant and engaging component that is combined with the General Knowledge section.

The Missiles of India is used for a variety of defense-related reasons. Fundamentally, its arsenal of ballistic missiles serves as a platform for the delivery of nuclear weapons to both China and Pakistan. India’s development of longer-range ballistic missiles and its diversification of its delivery vehicles beyond mobile land-based missiles are both driven by military requirements.

In the age of modernity, India is working with Russia to develop cruise missiles and ship-launched ballistic missiles in order to become a strong country.

Read about: Gallantry Awards in India

Types of Missiles in India

• Surface-To-Air Missiles – SAM
• Air-to-air missiles AAM
• Surface-to-surface missiles
• Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)/Interceptor Missiles

Cruise Missiles

Submarine launched ballistic missiles.

• Anti-Tank Missiles

Read about: Earthquakes in India

List of Missiles in India

Air-to-air missiles, surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles,  defense missile.

Read about: Exogenic and Endogenic Forces

Anti-Tank Missile

Read about: Natural Vegetation in India

Missiles of India Important Facts for UPSC

• The 1983 launch of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
• The goal of this programme was to build the Trishul, Akash, Nag, Prithvi, and Agni-I missile systems in the nation.
• The intermediate-range surface-to-surface missiles mentioned above.
• The “Missile Woman” of India is Tessy Thomas, an Indian scientist who serves as the Director General of Aeronautical Systems and the former Project Director for the Agni-IV missile in the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
• Prithvi was the nation’s first surface-to-surface missile with a single stage and liquid fuel.

Sharing is caring!

Which is the most powerful missile in India?

Agni-V is an Indian nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization [DRDO]. The missile is believed to have a range of around 5,000 to 5,500 kilometers. Scientists and experts say that the missile has the range of 8,000 kilometers.

Who is the 1st missile of India?

The Government of India launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program in 1983 to achieve self-sufficiency in the development and production of wide range of ballistic missiles, surface-to-air missiles etc. Prithvi was the first missile to be developed under the program.

Which is the No 1 missile in the world?

The BrahMos (also designated as PJ-10) is a medium-range stealth ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft or land, notably being the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world.

Which missile can stop BrahMos?

One of these is the HQ-16 LOMADS, or Low to Medium Altitude Air Defence System. It is made by China, and was inducted into Pakistani forces in 2017. Its effective range is claimed to be 3.5-18 km against cruise missiles, like BrahMos. It can intercept low-flying targets at up to 40 km.

Who is known as the ‘Missile Woman of India’?

The Missile Woman of India is Tessy Thomas, an Indian scientist who served as the DRDO's Director General of Aeronautical Systems and as the former Project Director for the Agni-IV missile.

• science and tech

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• UPSC Online Coaching
• UPSC Exam 2024
• UPSC Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Exam Pattern 2024
• UPSC Age Limit 2024
• UPSC Calendar 2024
• UPSC Syllabus in Hindi
• UPSC Full Form

Recent Posts

• UPPSC Exam 2024
• UPPSC Calendar
• UPPSC Syllabus 2024
• UPPSC Exam Pattern 2024
• UPPSC Application Form 2024
• UPPSC Eligibility Criteria 2024
• UPPSC Admit card 2024
• UPPSC Salary And Posts
• UPPSC Cut Off
• UPPSC Previous Year Paper

BPSC Exam 2024

• BPSC 70th Notification
• BPSC 69th Exam Analysis
• BPSC Admit Card
• BPSC Syllabus
• BPSC Exam Pattern
• BPSC Cut Off
• BPSC Question Papers
• MPPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024
• MPPSC Answer Key 2024
• MPPSC Exam Date 2024
• MPPSC Syllabus 2024

SSC CGL 2024

• SSC CGL Exam 2024
• SSC CGL Syllabus 2024
• SSC CGL Cut off
• SSC CGL Apply Online

Study Material Categories

• Daily The Hindu Analysis
• Daily Practice Quiz for Prelims
• Daily Answer Writing
• Daily Current Affairs
• Indian Polity
• Environment and Ecology
• Art and Culture
• General Knowledge
• Biographies

IMPORTANT EXAMS

• Terms & Conditions
• Return & Refund Policy
• Privacy Policy

MBDA Unveils Land Cruise Missile – LCM – System for Deep Precision Strike

Mbda unveils the land cruise missile (lcm) system, a new ground-launched deep precision strike capability, to meet the needs of the new strategic environment on the battlefield..

Naval News Staff 19 Jun 2024

MBDA press release

The Land Cruise Missile (LCM) builds on all of MBDA ’s expertise in the field of Deep Precision Strike and is based on the combat-proven Naval Cruise Missile (NCM) in-service on French Navy frigates and attack submarines.

The LCM system constitutes a unique European sovereign solution for a deep strike ground-launched cruise missile system, designed, produced, and assembled in Europe. Customers operating NCM missiles and LCM systems will belong to an exclusive club of countries possessing very long-range Deep Precision Strike capability from below and from the surface of the sea as well as from the ground.

“ The Land Cruise Missile system complements MBDA’s comprehensive portfolio of decisive European sovereign solutions. Building on the track-record of the Naval Cruise Missile, MBDA demonstrates its ability to cover the full spectrum of operational requirements for our customers while generating synergies across our deep strike portfolio to ensure battle-readiness.” Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA

The LCM system will offer the same unique capabilities as the NCM, including metric precision at very long range; high survivability when penetrating through enemy-integrated air defense systems thanks to reduced radar cross section & terrain-following capability; and high lethality against targets. It will also allow highly accurate synchronized time-on-target (STOT) capability as already demonstrated by the simultaneous NCM strike from a frigate and a submersed submarine , performed by the French Navy with the support of DGA in April 2024. The LCM brings the capability to inflect aggressive behaviors from peer adversaries by imposing a permanent and immediate threat against enemy high-value assets.

With the LCM concept of operation, MBDA will offer a comprehensive integrated system including the mission planning suite and ground launchers mounted on dedicated land platforms offering flexibility, survivability, and reactivity to ground forces in high-intensity contexts.

Naval News comments:

MBDA’s LCM could become a European equivalent to the Mid-Range Capability / Typhon system (based on the Tomahawk cruise missile) under development in the United States to fullfil a similar role: Deep precision strike. It is currently being tested and field with both the US Army and US Marine Corps .

Related Articles

Video: MBDA CEO on 2023 results, War Economy, Red Sea and Anti-Ship Missiles

Royal Navy’s Sea Viper to take on ballistic threats

Delivery of First MLU Aster 30 Munitions to France and Italy

US soldiers just put the Army's new Precision Strike Missile to the test against a moving sea target in the Pacific

• The US Army tested its Precision Strike Missile against a moving sea target in the Pacific recently.
• The next-generation missile will soon replace ATACMS, as well as fill other capability gaps.
• This month's test is a significant step in the PrSM program's progress, the Army said.

The US Army tested its new strike missile against a moving sea target in the Pacific earlier this month.

The recent strike marked a "significant milestone" in the development of the new Precision Strike Missile, the Army said. The PrSM, a next-generation long-range precision strike weapon, will eventually replace the older MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS.

The US Army announced the exercise last Friday , saying soldiers conducted it in Palau on June 16. The exercise involved the US Army's prototype Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher and two Precision Strike Missiles, which were "able to engage a moving maritime target in conjunction with other Joint assets."

The test occurred during a sinking exercise, or SINKEX, as part of Valiant Shield 2024. The joint force sunk the decommissioned hulk of the ex-USS Cleveland, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock. The Army, however, did not specify the target in its release.

The use of the PrSM in this exercise is the first known use of the missile against a moving sea target, as well as the first employment of the Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher and the new missiles outside of the US.

The PrSM, developed by Lockheed Martin, has been in the works for years and is intended to provide the Army extended long-range support and deep-strike capabilities. Lockheed says the missile can be used to strike targets between roughly 40 miles away and over 300 miles away, giving it a far greater reach than the older ATACMS.

Related stories

The Army has said that the new PrSMs will "significantly" extend the "range and lethality" of the US military's long-range precision munitions.

The ballistic missile is capable of performing in all weather conditions, and it is expected to replace both the unitary and cluster variants of the ATACMS. Additionally, because the PrSM is smaller, a launch pod can carry two missiles instead of one.

Future variants of the PrSM "will concentrate on increasing the range and engagement of time-sensitive, moving, hardened, and fleeting targets," according to a Pentagon test and evaluation office document on the program.

Previous tests of the PrSM program have been promising. Back in November 2023, the Army successfully fired a baseline variant of the missile , called Increment 1, from a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in a successful demonstration of target engagement.

Following that demonstration test, the Army received its initial delivery of the missiles in December 2023.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Doug Bush said in a statement at the time that "the rapid development and delivery of this capability is a prime example of the Army's aggressive use of new acquisition authorities from Congress that allow us to move at much greater speed to get improved equipment to soldiers."

Then, in January 2024, the Army said it flight tested the seeker that'll allow the PrSM to strike warships and moving targets .

In an early January reflection statement outlining its 2023 accomplishments, the Army said that it "successfully" flight tested Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile (LBASM) multi-mode seeker technology that can be integrated into the PrSM." The Increment II PrSM is intended to provide anti-ship options.

Given recent events involving the Houthis and concerns about great power competition in the Indo-Pacific region , anti-ship capabilities have become especially important. China in particular has built up a variety of anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles . And the US is increasingly realized it needs to develop its own arsenal of anti-ship capabilities.

Watch: Russia flaunts intercontinental ballistic missile in new video

• Main content

Russian missile strike on Odesa injures three, Ukraine says

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; Editing by Tom Balmforth, Alison Williams and Gareth Jones

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Incheon airport briefly shuts down runways because of North Korea trash balloons

Takeoffs and landings at South Korea's Incheon international airport were disrupted on Wednesday for about three hours before dawn because of balloons launched by North Korea filled with refuse, an airport spokesperson said.