Types of Missiles, List, Range, Facts

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