What is Indian missile system?
Indian missile arsenal includes both ballistic & cruise missile systems with large strategic & tactical importance. Over decades India has developed these systems through various missile programs most notable being Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. These advancements reinforce Indian commitment to maintaining regional stability, deterrence & great power status in Asia Pacific region.
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What is a missile?
A missile is a guided airborne ranged weapon that is self-propelled using either a jet engine or a rocket motor. Missiles consist of five main components
Guidance System that determines missile path using inertial, satellite or radar-based navigation.
Targeting System that identifies & locks onto intended target using electronic, optical or infrared sensors.
Flight System that controls aerodynamic stability & trajectory through fins, thrusters or vector control.
Engine (Propulsion System) that provides necessary thrust either via solid, liquid or hybrid fuel technology.
Warhead is destructive payload which may include conventional explosives or nuclear material.
Key Features of Indian Missile Systems
Indian missile programs emphasize indigenous technology, rapid response, high accuracy & formidable lethality.
Precision & Accuracy
Indian missiles utilize advanced guidance technologies such as inertial navigation systems, GPS, radar homing & optical seekers for pinpoint accuracy.
Agni V & BrahMos have demonstrated high precision consistently hitting targets with minimal collateral damage.
Quick Deployment & Readiness
Most Indian missiles use solid fuel allowing for faster launch preparation & reaction time.
Agni & Prithvi missiles mounted on transport erector launcher vehicles can be launched in under 15 minutes making sure of rapid response capabilities.
High Lethality & Extended Range
Indigenous propulsion systems grant extended range & powerful warheads increasing strike capability.
BrahMos with its supersonic speed (Mach 2.8 to 3) is one of deadliest cruise missiles globally capable of evading enemy defences & inflicting massive damage.
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Indian successful missile programs
| Missile Program | Features | Key Products |
| Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) | Launched in 1983 under DRDO, completed in 2008. Aimed at developing indigenous missile systems for India’s defensive & offensive needs. Focused on creating a comprehensive range of missiles for armed forces. |
Prithvi, Akash, Nag, Trishul, Agni (1, 2, 3) |
| BrahMos Aerospace Joint Venture | Established in 1998 as a joint venture between India’s DRDO & Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia. Developed one of world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles. |
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile |
| Indian Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Program | Started in 1999 to develop an anti-ballistic missile system. Consists of a two-tiered system for missile interception Endo atmospheric interception (within Earth’s atmosphere). Exo atmospheric interception (outside Earth’s atmosphere). |
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) / Pradyumna Interceptor, Advanced Air Defence (AAD) / Ashwin Interceptor |
| Independent Missile Development Projects | Began in 2008, post IGMDP, focusing on next generation missile technologies. Includes long-range, nuclear capable & hypersonic missile development. |
Agni series (Agni IV, Agni V, Agni P), K Series (Sagarika/K 15, K 4, K 5, K 6), Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV under development) |
Types of Missiles in India
Missiles based on their speed
| Type of Missile | Speed (Mach Number) | Description | Examples |
| Subsonic Missile | Less than Mach 1 (< 1,235 km/h or < 767 mph) | Travel slower than speed of sound. Typically low altitude missiles, making them harder to detect. Generally used for short- range attacks. |
U.S. Harpoon (anti-ship missile) Indian Prithvi (short-range ballistic missile) |
| Supersonic Missile | Mach 1 to Mach 5 (1,235 – 6,175 km/h or 767 – 3,836 mph) | Travel faster than sound but slower than Mach 5. High speed impact with greater penetration power. Reduced reaction time for enemies. Used in tactical & strategic warfare. |
Russian Iskander (tactical ballistic missile) Indian BrahMos (supersonic cruise missile) |
| Hypersonic Missile | Above Mach 5 (> 6,175 km/h or > 3,836 mph) | Travel at hypersonic speeds, at least five times speed of sound. Extremely maneuverable & hard to intercept. Can be glide vehicles or scramjet powered cruise missiles. Used for long-range strategic strikes. |
China’s DF ZF (hypersonic glide vehicle) Russia’s Avangard (hypersonic glide missile) Indian Shaurya/Sagarika (Max speed – Mach 7.5) |
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Missiles based on trajectory
| Type of Missile | Description | Examples |
| Ballistic Missiles | Follow a ballistic (arched) trajectory. Powered only during boost phase, then follow an unpowered free fall flight towards target. Generally used for long-range strategic attacks. |
India’s Agni series (Agni I to Agni VI) India’s Prithvi series (Prithvi I, II, III) |
| Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) | A type of ballistic missile that attains hypersonic speeds (Mach 5+) during re entry phase. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, HGVs can maneuver to avoid interception. |
China’s DF 17 (HGV mounted missile) Russia’s Avangard (boost glide system) India is in “Technology Demonstration” stage for HGVs |
| Cruise Missiles | Guided missiles designed to stay within atmosphere for their entire flight. Maintain a constant speed & fly at low altitudes to avoid radar detection. Used for precision strikes on terrestrial or naval targets. |
India’s Nirbhay (subsonic cruise missile)
India’s BrahMos (supersonic cruise missile) |
| Subsonic Cruise Missiles | Travel at less than Mach 1 (slower than sound). Typically long-range & used for stealth attacks. |
U.S. BGM 109 Tomahawk (long-range subsonic cruise missile) India’s Nirbhay |
| Supersonic Cruise Missiles | Travel at speeds between Mach 1 & Mach 5. Faster & harder to intercept than subsonic missiles. Used for high speed precision strikes. |
India Russia BrahMos (fastest supersonic cruise missile, Mach 2.8 3) |
| Hypersonic Cruise Missiles | Powered by scramjet engines, enabling speeds above Mach 5. Capable of evading missile defense systems. Still in development phase in India. |
Russia’s 3M22 Zircon (Mach 8+ hypersonic cruise missile) India’s BrahMos II (under development, based on Zircon, expected to reach Mach 8+) |
| Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) | Uses low Earth orbit for warhead delivery. Instead of following a predictable ICBM trajectory, it can approach targets from unconventional angles, avoiding early warning radar systems. China & Russia have tested this system. |
Russia’s Cold War era FOBS (developed in 1960s) China’s recent FOBS tests |
Missiles based on Launch Mode
| Launch Mode | Description | Examples |
| Surface to Surface | Launched from land based platforms to strike ground targets. | Prithvi, Agni, BrahMos |
| Surface to Air | Launched from land to intercept aerial threats like aircraft, helicopters & drones. | Akash, MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) |
| Air to Surface | Air launched missile used to attack ground based targets. | Helina (anti tank missile fired from Rudra helicopter) |
| Air to Air | Launched from fighter aircraft against enemy aerial targets. | Astra BVR (Beyond Visual Range) Air to Air Missile |
| Ship to Ship | Naval anti ship missile launched from warships or submarines. | BrahMos anti ship cruise missile |
| Ship to Air | Naval surface to air missile for fleet air defense. | Barak 8 LR SAM (Long Range Surface to Air Missile) |
| Submarine Launched | Fired from submerged submarines for strategic strikes. | K 15 (Sagarika) submarine launched ballistic missile |
| Shoulder Fired | Man portable missiles fired from launchers carried by infantry soldiers. | FIM 92 Stinger, Igla (shoulder fired SAMs) |
Missiles based on Strategic Importance
| Strategic Missile Type | Description | Examples |
| Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) | Long range missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads across continents. Forms part of India’s nuclear triad. |
Agni V (Range: 5,000 8,000 km) Mission Divyastra (Agni V with MIRV technology) (Can target multiple locations) |
| Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) | Nuclear powered submarines carrying & launching nuclear armed ballistic missiles. Ensures second strike capability. |
K 15 (Sagarika) (Range: 750 km) K 4 (Range: 3,500 km, under development) Deployed in INS Arihant (SSBN) |
Missiles based on Tactical Importance
| Tactical Missile Type | Description | Examples |
| Battlefield Ballistic Missiles | Short range surface to surface ballistic missiles for battlefield engagement. | Prithvi I (Range: 150 km) Prithvi II (Range: 350 km) Prithvi III (Naval variant, 350 km) |
| Supersonic Cruise Missile | Fast, precision guided missile for land, sea & air attacks. | BrahMos (Mach 3, fire & forget missile) Inducted in Army, Navy, Air Force |
| Hypersonic Cruise Missile | Next generation missile capable of reaching speeds above Mach 8. | BrahMos II (Under development, based on Russian Zircon) |
Missiles based on Propulsion Systems
| Propulsion Type | Description | Advantages | Examples |
| Solid Propulsion | Uses solid propellants like Hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) fuel. Simple & highly reliable. |
Low cost Faster launch readiness Less maintenance |
Prithvi, BrahMos, Agni Prime |
| Liquid Propulsion | Uses liquid fuels (Hydrazine, Liquid Hydrogen, etc.) & oxidizers (Nitrogen Tetroxide, Liquid Oxygen, etc.). | Higher efficiency Adjustable thrust (throttle control) |
Agni series, Akash |
| Hybrid Propulsion | Uses a combination of solid & liquid propellants. Balances simplicity of solid fuels & throttle control of liquid fuels. |
Better range & speed balance Efficient fuel use |
BrahMos Hypersonic Cruise Missile Prototype |
| Cryogenic Propulsion | Uses supercooled liquid fuels like Liquid Oxygen (LOX) & Liquid Hydrogen (LH2). Used in long-range ICBMs. |
High energy density
Ideal for long-range missiles |
Agni V (ICBM) |
| Ramjet/Scramjet Propulsion | Air breathing engine technology for supersonic & hypersonic speeds. Uses atmospheric oxygen instead of onboard oxidizers. |
Extremely high speeds (Mach 5+) Reduces fuel weight |
BrahMos II (Under Development), HGV (Hypersonic Glide Vehicle) |
Missiles based on Guidance Systems
| Guidance System | Description | Advantages | Examples |
| Command Guidance | Missile is guided by external commands via radio or wired links. | High accuracy in controlled environments | Nag Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) |
| Inertial Guidance | Uses onboard computers, accelerometers & gyroscopes to autonomously adjust trajectory. | Does not rely on external signals Immune to jamming |
Agni series ballistic missiles |
| Terrain Mapping | Compares preloaded terrain maps with radar altimeter data for precise navigation. | Ensures precision strikes on land targets | Prithvi missiles |
| Laser Homing | Missile homes onto a laser illuminated target using a laser designator. | High precision against armored & moving targets | Helina ATGM, MBT Arjun ATGM |
| Radar/GPS Guidance | Uses satellite navigation (GPS/NavI C) & radar seekers to lock onto targets. | Extremely high accuracy Works in all weather conditions |
BrahMos Cruise Missile |
Indian Defence Capabilities
Strategic Deterrence
Long range ballistic missiles like Agni series ensure minimum credible deterrence against nuclear threats.
Second strike capability through submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) like K 15 Sagarika strengthens Indian nuclear triad.
Tactical Battlefield Superiority
Short range ballistic missiles (Prithvi, Agni I & Agni Prime) allow precision strikes on enemy infrastructure, command centers & supply chains.
BrahMos supersonic cruise missile enables deep penetration strikes on enemy airbases, logistics hubs & military installations.
Coastal & Maritime Defense
BrahMos anti ship missile increases naval superiority by neutralizing enemy warships, carriers & coastal installations.
Surface to air missile systems (Barak 8, MRSAM) provide defence against enemy aircraft, drones & cruise missiles over coastline.
Aerial Combat Power
Astra beyond visual range air to air missile (BVR AAM) improves dogfighting & interception capabilities of IAF fighter jets.
Air launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) like BrahMos A & Nirbhay turn fighter aircraft into strategic long-range strike platforms.
Challenges
Dependence on Critical Imports
India imports missile components such as seeker technologies, RF seekers, propulsion systems & advanced electronics.
Developing comprehensive domestic production of these components is essential for large scale manufacturing & self sufficiency.
Development Delays in DRDO Projects
Several missile programs have faced delays, affecting operationalisation & deployment timelines.
Better project management, clear prioritisation & timely review mechanisms are necessary to increase efficiency.
Technology Transfer Barriers
Many countries restrict transfer of advanced missile & propulsion technologies due to strategic concerns.
India must strengthen indigenous R&D, build global partnerships & use diplomatic ties to overcome these restrictions.
Funding & Investment Constraints
Missile projects are capital-intensive & require sustained financial support for research, development & production.
Encouraging private sector participation, PPP models & defence startups will help bridge funding gaps & accelerate innovation.
Way Forward
India must
Strengthen domestic R&D & defence manufacturing in missile subsystems.
Expand private sector participation through PPP models & policy incentives.
Increase DRDO efficiency through strict project timelines & monitoring.
Leverage international collaborations while making sure technology absorption & indigenous innovation.
Conclusion
Indian missile development journey has been statement of self reliance in defense technology. With cutting edge ICBMs, SLBMs, cruise missiles & missile defense systems India has secured its strategic deterrence & defensive prowess. Future advancements in hypersonic missiles, MIRV technology & indigenous propulsion systems will further strengthen Indian position as a global military power.
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