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Missiles of India Types, List, Range, Facts

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.

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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

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List of Missiles in India

Air-to-Air missiles

Name of the Missile Type Range
MICA Air-to-Air Missiles 500 m to 80 km
Astra Air-to-Air Missiles 80-110 km
Novator K-100 Medium Range air-to-air missile 300–400 km

Surface-To-Air Missiles

Name of the Missile Type Range
Trishul Short-Range surface to air missile 9 km
Akash Missile Medium-range surface-to-air missile 30-35km
Barak 8 Long-Range surface to air Missile 100 km

Surface-to-Surface Missiles

Name of the Missile Type Range
Agni-I Medium-range ballistic missile 700-1250 km
Agni-II Intermediate-range ballistic missile 2,000–3,000 km
Agni-III Intermediate-range ballistic missile 3,500 km – 5,000 km
Agni-IV Intermediate-range ballistic missile 3,000 – 4,000 km
Agni-V Intercontinental ballistic missile 5000 – 8000 Km
Prithvi I Short-Range Ballistic Missile 150 km
Prithvi II Short-Range Ballistic Missile 350 km
Dhanush Short-Range Ballistic Missile 350 – 600 km
Shaurya Medium-Range Ballistic Missile 750 to 1,900 km
Prahaar Short-Range Ballistic Missile 150 km

Cruise Missiles

Name of the Missile Type Range
BrahMos Supersonic cruise missile 290 km
BrahMos II Hypersonic cruise missile 300km
Nirbhay Subsonic cruise missile 1,000 -1500 km

 Defense Missile

Name of the Missile Type of Missile Range
Prithvi Air Defence Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile Altitude- 80km
Prithvi Defence Vehicle Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile Altitude- 30km
Advanced Air Defence Endoatmospheric Anti-ballistic missile Altitude- 120km

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Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles

Name of the Missile Type Range
Ashwin Ballistic Missile 150-200km
Sagarika Ballistic Missile 700 – 1900 Km
K-4 Ballistic Missile 3,500–5,000 km
K-5 Ballistic Missile 6,000 km

Anti-Tank Missile

Name of the Missile Type Range
Amogha Anti-Tank Guided Missile 2.8 km
Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile 4km
Helina Anti-Tank Guided Missile 7-8km

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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.

 

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FAQs

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.

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