Indian Missile Systems: Prithvi, Naag, Prahaar, BrahMos

Indian Missile Systems Overview

• The discussion encompasses the background, capabilities, and types of various Indian missile systems

पृथ्वी (Prithvi)

• A surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile.
• Air defense range extends up to 2000 kilometers.

नाग (Naag)

• An anti-tank missile.
• It is surface-to-surface, designed to destroy tanks within a 4 km range.
• Features fire-and-forget technology with lock-on before launch capability.
• The helicopter-launched variant is called Helina and is integrated with Dhruv helicopters.

प्रहार (Prahaar)

• It is a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 150 km.
• Intended to bridge the gap between unguided Pinaka rocket launchers and guided Prithvi missiles.

ब्रह्मोस (BrahMos)

• It can be launched from land, naval, and air platforms and has a range of 290 km.
• A joint venture between India and Russia
• The collaboration exists due to Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) limitations.
• Globally recognized as the fastest supersonic cruise missile.
• Functions as an anti-ship missile.

निर्भय (Nirbhay)

• It can be launched from land, naval, and air platforms and has a range of 1000 km.
• Subsonic and capable of being launched from multiple platforms.
• Can deliver 24 different types of warheads depending on mission requirements.

K-15 सागरिका (Sagarika)

• An underwater-launched missile with a range of 700 km.
• Forms the third leg of India's nuclear triad, integrated with Arihant-class submarines.

धनुष (Dhanush)

• It is a sea-to-sea missile with a range of 350 km.
• Also known as Prithvi III, it is a naval variant of Prithvi II.
• It is a short-range liquid propellant missile.
• Capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

शौर्य (Shaurya)

• A surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 1900 km.
• It is surface to surface.
• Functions as a version of K15 Sagarika with nuclear capabilities.
• Designed to reduce dependence on the K15, which was built with Russian assistance.

अस्त्र (Astra)

• The smallest missile made by DRDO in terms of size and weight.
• Designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds.
• Has an active radar seeker to find targets.
• Includes electronic countermeasure capabilities.

त्रिशूल (Trishul)

• Used as an anti-sea skimmer to fly low and avoid radar detection.
• A short-range, quick-reaction, all-weather surface-to-air missile.
• Has electronic counter measures against known air craft jammers.

आकाश (Akash)

• Capable of neutralizing aerial targets, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
• Has multi-target engagement capability.
• Capable of carrying multiple warheads.

पृथ्वी एयर डिफेंस (Prithvi Air Defence)

• An anti-ballistic missile to intercept incoming missiles

Anti-Tank Missile

• It is a 3rd generation, fire-and-forget guided missile.
• Employs sensor fuse technology for flight guidance.

प्रहार (Prahar)

• Surface to surface missiles with range of 150km.
• High Acceleration and Accuracy

Agni Missiles

• There is a wide range of ballistic missiles in the Agni family.
• The Agni 6, currently in development, will have a range of 8000 to 10000km and can carry a 1000kg payload

Anti-Satellite Missile

• Launched in 2019
• Destroyed a live satellite in low Earth orbit
• Capable of shooting down targets at a speed of 10km/sec at an altitude of 1200km

Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)

• Conceived by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to achieve self-sufficiency in missile technology
• Led to the development of 5 missile systems: Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, Nag, and Agni (PATNA)
• Approved by the Indian government on July 26, 1983
• Prithvi is a Short-range Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile
• Agni is an Intermediate-Range Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile
• Trishul is a Short-Range Low-Level Surface to Air Missile
• Akash is a Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile
• Nag is a Third Generation Anti-Tank Missile