Indian Defense
Inside The World of India’s Most Advanced And Lethal Missiles
![Inside The World of India’s Most Advanced And Lethal Missiles Inside The World of India’s Most Advanced And Lethal Missiles](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Obd2p0z99XU/YQV-26To3ZI/AAAAAAADGpw/MMGqVaeix-QAHLJwFWkdqyWTY07z4uTPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Indian_Missiles.jpg)
Since independence, India has added various strategic and tactical missiles in its missile arsenal that serves a number of purposes in New Delhi’s defence strategy. With rigorous decades-long projects, India has developed all types of missile systems including anti-ship, air-defence, ballistic, cruise, air to air, and anti-missile systems. Notably, India is one of seven nations in the world with Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), which has a minimum range of 5,500 kilometers, and one of four countries around the globe with an Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) system.
With the Indian Air Force (IAF) version of the BrahMos, Intercontinental ballistic missile Agni- 5, and other major missiles, India has been adding lethal and potent weapons in its arsenal. Apart from BrahMos and Agni series missiles, India already has Dhanush, Prithvi, and Nirbhay series of missiles in its arsenal.
Here is a look at India’s most lethal missiles:
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile
An amalgamation of the names of Brahmaputra river and Moskva rivers, BrahMos missiles are designed, developed, and produced by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Mashinostroyenia of Russia.
Multiple versions of the supersonic cruise missile, including those which can be fired from land, warships, submarines, and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets have already been developed and successfully tested earlier. The ship-launched version of BrahMos and the land-based system is in service of the Indian Navy and the Indian Army since 2005 and 2007 respectively.
Later, the air-launched version Brahmos was successfully flight-tested for the first time from the IAF frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-30MKI against a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal on November 22, 2017.
The BrahMos is a medium-range supersonic missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land-based platforms. It is considered to be the fastest supersonic missile in the world that can achieve a speed 2.8 times the speed of sound.
Considered as the fastest supersonic missile in the world, the land-attack version of BrahMos has the capability of cruising at 2.8 Mach speed and with the upgraded capability, the missile can hit targets at a range of up to 400 kilometers with precision. Advanced versions of the range above 1,000 kilometers and speed up to 5 Mach are said to be under development.
Agni-5
India’s only Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), Agni-V has a 5,000 km plus range, with the view that its range can be easily extended to at least 8,000 km. The lethal missile is a three-stage solid-fuelled missile and is configured to carry up to 10 Multiple Independently-targetable Re-Entry Vehicles (MIRVs). The missile is 17.5-20 m long, 2-2.2 m wide with a launch weight of 49,000-55,000 kg.
The missile is carried by a road-mobile truck, allowing the mobilization of missile across the country easily. The missile has claimed to be tested more than 7 times before moving to user trials with the Army.
Agni-P Ballistic Missile
In the latest addition, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested a New Generation Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile Agni P on June 28 this year.
Agni-P is a new generation advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles. It is a cannisterised missile with range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km.
Agni-IV
Inducted in service since 2013, Agni-IV is an Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) with a range of between 3,500-4,000 km and a warhead capacity of 800 kg which will be a nuclear fission bomb of 20 or 45 KT. The missile is 20 m long, along with a two-stage solid propellant missile with a launch weight of 17,000 kg.
Shaurya
Shaurya is a submarine-launched medium-range ballistic missile that is 12 m long, 0.8 m wide, comprises a two-stage solid propellant, and has a range of 3,000-3,500 km.
Agni-III
Another intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) of India, Agni-III comprises a two-stage solid propellant engine, and has a strike range of 3,000 km. The missile is 16.7 m long, 1.85 m wide, launch weight 48,000 kg and carries a single 2,000 kg warhead. Agni-III has multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRV), which can annihilate several targets simultaneously.
Agni-II
Serving the nation since 2004, the medium-range Agni-II ballistic missile is 20 m long, 2.3 m wide and has a launch weight of 16,000 kg. Agni-II is a road/rail-mobile launch missile that can has an operational range between 2,000–3,500 km.
Nirbhay
Nirbhay is India’s first indigenously produced cruise missile that can be fired from land and submarine. The missile is 6.0 m long, 0.5 m wide with a launch weight of 1,500-1,600 kg. It can be used to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads and can strike a target up to 1,000 km.
Prahaar
The indigenous developed Prahaar is another short-range, solid propellant, road-mobile ballistic missile. The missile can strike enemy’s armoured formations, bunkers, command and control centres. The road-mobile missile has a 150 km range and has a launch weight of 1,280 kg.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
![INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’ INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZma1qWeuxixzWQNFcr4E4SAi5H75pCMZo9JakaQJiVRexORL1lXrVoTdk5qG1ZDkW-5fVJWE_6fplkC26hngBLsrFykHim9DHPap9wRCkdY_N749Uwptd47uWs05vhF6gG2R0rXxDyTUddYLuUH9busYEaBLNDmJXJB8Izz9Z5EOpYw7OAPC62TlOJLY/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/K-4_Submarine_Launched_Missile.jpg)
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
![](https://i0.wp.com/blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19SGuw5MDtceMDoa0iWWc6lzi_A9iQxNxQL85xBe_cjW19y1MJH_m0JQ6re1ywjpNTyBFKdBQ1cjAHGjteRJrEPDtiAPFF-PKnijwEJh4DyiJ0hcmhl2qzNMeyknnFjFoZlJF4ldSscTnJ67yEy9G1O_gsd9vkL3I9rg19smXdVkwIddBSPQJV9Y3QaQ/s16000/K-4_Submarine_Launched_Ballistic_Missile_SLBM.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
![After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78% After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gqEMaVLWzwfWoT_TYd9Nq6l_8hzGBwBcYv73-7NyZhMMOVESTbGDkgJ3-och4WjuFOk_g77IqZ4X6X0w9rasItBPQV8nZJXEL4XLy-DjFQbSXdhAkkJnJ3LDFF89t6DWWfsoaB0lH44jZtimqJ1gcelysqmbPAMJE5dRUMhjbOYBH2TG5D8BUPiwQHU/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Sukhoi_Su30MKI_Fighter_1.jpg)
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
![Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DIV1319opVfF8xXfP0sNkvUWwmHz1_Z_uMnNlj6rmFdhUAIsZ3TlJ-SweWhTSzvDmv3bGOZBeWERJE6U8S2Va_JDYmX2_SVcIpjshN1r7OE_efYIvjPOmD0npIS3qa1DhofPsHi41veOUyKwhAGftQmO3iSnldJoWS-JOaTYn8iUKxo4JC7XcN-AZpI/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Akash_Air_Defence_Missile_1.jpg)
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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