Indian Missile – India has developed a robust arsenal of missiles, categorized by type and purpose, primarily through the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Below is a comprehensive list of major Indian missile types, their names, and ranges, organized by category.
1. Ballistic Missiles of India
Ballistic missiles follow a high-trajectory path, powered initially by rockets, then guided by gravity to deliver payloads. They are critical for strategic deterrence.
- Agni-I: Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), 700–1,200 km.
- Agni-II: Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), 2,000–3,000 km.
- Agni-III: Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), 3,000–5,000 km.
- Agni-IV: Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), 3,500–4,000 km.
- Agni-V: Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), 5,000–8,000 km (estimates vary).
- Agni-VI: ICBM (under development), 8,000–12,000 km (projected).
- Prithvi-I: SRBM, 150 km (phased out).
- Prithvi-II: SRBM, 250–350 km.
- Prithvi-III: SRBM (naval variant), 350–600 km.
- Dhanush: Ship-launched ballistic missile (ShLBM), 250–400 km.
- Prahaar: Tactical SRBM, 150–200 km.
- Pragati: Export variant of Prahaar, 150–200 km.
- Shaurya: Hypersonic surface-to-surface missile, 700–1,900 km.
- K-15 Sagarika: Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), 700–750 km.
- K-4: SLBM, 3,500 km.
- K-5: SLBM (under development), 5,000+ km (projected).
- K-6: SLBM (under development), 6,000–8,000 km (projected).
2. Cruise Missiles of India
Cruise missiles fly at low altitudes, powered by jet engines, and are designed for precision strikes.
- BrahMos: Supersonic cruise missile, 290–600 km (extended-range variants for India).
- BrahMos-NG: Next-generation (under development), 290–400 km.
- BrahMos-II: Hypersonic cruise missile (under development), ~600 km.
- Nirbhay: Subsonic cruise missile, 1,000–1,500 km.
- Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM): Nirbhay variant with indigenous engine, 800–1,000 km (in trials).
3. Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM)
SAMs neutralize aerial threats like aircraft, drones, and missiles.
- Akash: Medium-range SAM, 25–30 km.
- Akash-NG: Next-generation SAM, 40–50 km.
- Barak-8 (MR-SAM/LR-SAM): Jointly with Israel, 70–100 km.
- Quick Reaction SAM (QRSAM): Short-range SAM, 25–30 km.
- VL-SRSAM: Naval vertical-launch SAM, 40–50 km.
- Trishul: Short-range SAM, 9 km (program closed, not inducted).
4. Air-to-Air Missiles (AAM)
AAMs are used by fighter aircraft to engage aerial targets.
- Astra Mk-1: Beyond-visual-range AAM, 80–110 km.
- Astra Mk-2: BVR AAM (in trials), ~160 km.
- Astra Mk-3: BVR AAM (in development), ~300 km.
- MICA: Imported, used on Rafale jets, ~60 km (complements indigenous systems).
5. Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM)
ATGMs target armoured vehicles like tanks.
- Nag: Third-generation ATGM, 4–7 km.
- Helina (Dhruvastra): Helicopter-launched Nag variant, 7–10 km.
- SANT (Stand-off Anti-Tank Missile): Air-launched, 15–20 km.
- MPATGM: Man-portable ATGM, 2.5–4 km (in trials).
- Amogha: ATGM series, 2.5–3 km (under development).
6. Anti-Ship Missiles
These target naval vessels, enhancing maritime defence.
- BrahMos: Anti-ship variant, 290–600 km.
- Dhanush: Naval Prithvi variant, 250–400 km.
- Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR): Short-range, 55–100 km (in trials).
- Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM): Hypersonic, ~300–500 km (in trials).
7. Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) / Interceptor Missiles
BMD systems intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
- Prithvi Air Defence (PAD): Exo-atmospheric interceptor, 80–150 km altitude.
- Advanced Air Defence (AAD): Endo-atmospheric interceptor, 15–30 km altitude.
- AD-1: Endo/exo-atmospheric interceptor, ~1,500–3,000 km range (in trials).
- AD-2: Exo-atmospheric interceptor (under development), ~5,000 km range.
8. Air-to-Surface Missiles
These are launched from aircraft to strike ground or sea targets.
- Rudram-1: Anti-radiation missile (ARM), 100–200 km.
- Rudram-2: ARM/air-to-ground missile, ~300 km (in trials).
- Rudram-3: Air-to-ground missile (in development), ~550 km (projected).
- BrahMos Air-Launched: Air-to-ground/anti-ship, 290–600 km.
Key Notes
- Nuclear Capability: Agni series, Prithvi, K-series SLBMs, and select others are nuclear-capable, supporting India’s no-first-use policy.
- Indigenous Development: Most missiles are developed by DRDO, with production by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and private firms like L&T, promoting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- Export Potential: BrahMos, Akash, and Pragati are marketed to friendly nations (e.g., Philippines’ BrahMos order in 2022).
- Ranges: Vary based on payload; lighter payloads can extend range, while heavier ones reduce it. Cited ranges are approximate, based on open-source data.
- Hypersonic Focus: BrahMos-II, HSTDV, and LRAShM reflect India’s push for Mach 5+ technologies.
- Recent Tests: K-4 SLBM (3,500 km) tested from INS Arighaat in 2024, reinforcing India’s second-strike capability.
This list covers operational, in-trial, and under-development missiles as of April 2025. Ranges are sourced from DRDO, MoD, and credible defence analyses, though exact figures may vary due to classified enhancements.
India Missile Technology Ranking
India ranks approximately 4th to 7th globally in missile technology, excelling in ICBMs, cruise missiles, and ABM systems, with hypersonic advancements closing gaps with leaders.
Its indigenous focus and strategic deployments make it a regional powerhouse, though scaling production and mastering hypersonic systems are critical for climbing higher.
Global Comparison and Ranking
Top Tier (1–3):
- US, Russia, China lead due to extensive arsenals, hypersonic deployments (e.g., China’s DF-17, Russia’s Avangard), and global strike capabilities.
- Their defence budgets ($849B, $65B, $267B vs. India’s $75B) enable larger-scale R&D.
Second Tier (4–7):
India, France, UK, North Korea compete closely:
- India: Strengths include ICBMs, SLBMs, hypersonic progress, and ABM systems. Weaknesses are smaller production scales and reliance on Russia for some subsystems (e.g., BrahMos propulsion). Ranked ~4th–7th, often 4th in Asia after China, Russia, North Korea.
- France/UK: Focus on SLBMs (e.g., France’s M51, 8,000 km) and nuclear deterrence but lack India’s diversity in tactical missiles.
- North Korea: Advanced ICBMs (Hwasong-15, 13,000 km) but limited cruise missile capabilities.
Others (8–10):
Israel, Pakistan, and Iran trail India, with shorter-range systems (e.g., Pakistan’s Shaheen-III, 2,750 km) and less diversity.