In this article, we will look into important list of India's Indigenous Missiles Developed by DRDO over the past few years. DRDO plays a huge role in providing Indigenous Missile capability to India. Since its formation in 1958, it has developed a number of complex missiles technologies that produced results with utmost accuracy and continues to do so.
About DRDO
DRDO is a premier R&D Organisation of India which works under Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence. It was formed in 1958 by combining three major defence Organisations: Defence Science Organisation(DSO), Defence Technical Development Establishment(DTDE), Directorate of Technical Development and Production(DTDP). It has more than 50 Laboratories across India. Project Indigo was the first major defence project of the Organisation. DRDO has now mastered in developing wide variety of missiles.
About IGDP
IGDP or Integrated Guided Missile Development Program is a project started by Government of India in 1983 to achieve self sufficiency in the production and development of Indigenous Missiles for Army, Air Force and Navy.
List of India's Indigenous Missiles Developed by DRDO
Also Read: List of Important ISRO Space and Satellite Missions | UPSC PSC SSC
1. LRSAM(Long Range Surface to Air Missiles)
LRSAM is a ship launched long range surface to air missile jointly developed by India's DRDO and IAI Israel. It is produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited(BDL). The LRSAM Missile system can provide point and area defence against various aerial targets including fighter aircraft, subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles. The main features of LRSAM includes vertical launch, smokeless propulsion, thrust vector control, Dual Pulse Propulsion and many more. It also provides 360 degree coverage.
2. Akash
It is a medium range Surface to Air Missile Defence System developed by DRDO. It is currently in use by Army and Air Force of India. Latest Akash System has a range of about 50-60 km at an altitude of 18,000 m. It has the capability to engage and neutralize aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles, air to surface missiles and even ballistic missiles as well. Currently it is used by Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
3. Agni Missiles Series
Agni is a long range surface to surface ballistic missiles fully capable of carrying nuclear payload. Agni missiles comes in different ranges from 700km to 8000km. The main variants of Agni includes Agni I(700-1200 km), Agni II(2000-3500 km), Agni III(3000-5000 km), Agni IV(3500-4000 km) and Agni V(5000-8000 km). There is one more variant Agni VI which is currently in developmental stage. The latest Agni V missile is a nuclear capable ballistic missile believed to have a range of about 5000 to 8000 km.
4. K Missile Series
It is a family of submarine-launched ballistic missiles developed by DRDO for boosting India's second Strike capability. K Series missile includes K-4(3500 km), K-5(5000 km), K-6(6000 km) and K-15(750-1500 km) missiles. Recently, DRDO completed the testing of K-15 SLBM missiles which has a range of around 700-1500 km. Then we have another important K-4 missile with a range of about 3500 km. K missile series development is inline with India's Nuclear Doctrine.
5. Shaurya
It is a canister launched hypersonic surface-to-surface tactical missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation. It has a range of around 700 to 1,900 km and is fully capable of carrying a payload of about 200 kg to 1 ton conventional or nuclear warhead. Shaurya missile can reach a velocity up to 7.5 Machs even at low altitudes.
6. Nirbhay
It is a long range subsonic cruise missile developed by the DRDO under Integrated Guided Missile Development Program(IGDP). The missile has a length of 6 metres, width of 0.52 metres, a wing span of 2.7 metres and weighs about 1500 kg. It has a range of about 1000 km and is capable of delivering 24 different types of warheads depending on mission requirements between 200 and 300 kg. More on Nirbhay Indigenous Missile.
7. Prahaar
It is a solid fuel tactical ballistic missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is expected to replace short range ballistic missile Prithvi-1 currently in service. It is known to be highly accurate battlefield tested missile which works all kind of terrain and in all weather conditions. It is also much cost effective.
8. Nag
It is a fire and forget anti-tank guided missile(ATGM) with an operational range of 500m to 20km. It is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation under Integrated Guided Missile Development Program(IGDP). Nag missile development was first started in 1988 under A.P.J Abdul Kalam(Ex-President of India).
9. Trishul
It is a short range surface to air missile of India developed by DRDO under Integrated Guided Missile Development Program(IGDP). Trishul, about three metres in length and 200 cm in diameter, flies at supersonic speed and is capable of carrying a 15-kg payload. This Indigenous Missile development was closed in 2008 and hence it did not entered into production phase. It only acted as a technology demonstrator. It was later replaced by Barak Missile.
10. Prithvi
It is a short range surface to surface to ballistic missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation under Integrated Guided Development Program(IGDP). It is known to be the first missile developed under IGDP. There were three versions of Prithvi outlined in the program : Prithvi I, Prithvi II and Prithvi III. Each with difference range and payload capacity.
11. Helina
Helina is the helicopter launched version of Nag Missile. It is designed to take out the target at the range of 7 KM. The Airforce version of this missile is known as Dhruvastra. Helina is known as the third generation ATGM missile which is designed to engage targets in both direct mode as well as top attack mode.
12. Brahmos
It is a medium range ramjet supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. It is the world's fastest cruise missile. This Indigenous missile can be launched from Air, Land and Water. It is also the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile in Operation.
13. Astra
It is an all weather beyond visual air to air missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation for Indian Air Force(IAF). With the introduction of Astra Mark - II, it will become the India's first beyond visual range air-to-air indigenous missile with a range of around 160 km. Astra is 3.6 m (12 ft) long Indigenous Missile with a diameter of 178 mm (7.0 in) and weighs about 154 kg (340 lb).