Types of Missiles, List, Range, Facts
Last Updated :
14 Apr, 2023
In this article, we will discuss the various types of missiles developed by India and their key features. We will cover surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Understanding these missile systems is crucial to appreciate India’s growing military power and its ability to defend itself against potential threats.
As we delve into each type of missile, we will examine their technical specifications, range, speed, accuracy, and their potential use in modern warfare. The development of these missiles showcases India’s technological prowess and its commitment to securing its borders and interests.
Missiles Program In India
- India sees nuclear weapons and long-range power projection programs as a key to maintaining strategic stability in the Asia-Pacific region and gaining a strong position. India’s strategic missile program is so mature that it now can deploy short, medium, and long-range ballistic missiles.
- India’s lack of access to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) until 2016 required 40 years of investment in the country’s missile-related design, development, and manufacturing infrastructure, prompting India’s missile sector to focus on exports. We are left largely defenceless against long-term regulatory disruption.
- India has demonstrated its continued commitment to long-range ballistic and cruise missile capabilities with the development of the Agni-V land-launched ICBM, the K-series sea-launched ballistic missile, and the BrahMos cruise missile.
- Recently, Indian defence planners have begun shifting their focus from developing new missile technology to mass-producing existing missiles. Shifting away from its self-sufficiency policy, India is increasingly seeking foreign cooperation, demonstrating confidence in its domestic missile capabilities.
- Prithvi-II, Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, and Agni-IV are India’s fully operational land-based ballistic missiles and form the basis of the country’s ballistic missile arsenal. In 2018, India conducted three trials of its first homegrown ICBM, the Agni-V.
- A joint India-Russia project, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is the flagship of India’s cruise missile capability. Capable of travelling at speeds up to Mach 3.0, BrahMos is equipped with advanced satellite navigation and has a range of 300-500 km. Sea, air, and submarine-based variants of BrahMos were also developed. An improved variant with speeds up to Mach 3.5, the BrahMos-NG, is also under development.
Types of Missiles of 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 |
30-35 km |
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 |
2,500 km – 3,500 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
|
Range
|
Prithvi Air Defense |
Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile |
Altitude- 80km |
Prithvi Defense Vehicle |
Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile |
Altitude- 30km |
Advanced Air Defense |
Endo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile |
Altitude- 200km |
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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