Missiles of India Notes for UPSC: Types, Features, Defence Capabilities & Significance

The Missiles of India is a key UPSC topic under Science & Tech, Security, and Current Affairs. It highlights self-reliance, strategic deterrence, and defence modernisation. Covering the IGMDP, Agni, Prithvi, Akash, BrahMos, and missile defence systems, it is relevant for Prelims (types, ranges, recent tests) and Mains (indigenisation, Atmanirbhar Bharat, strategic balance).

Here, we will cover key facts, classifications, recent developments, and details about India's Missiles for the UPSC.

A missile is a guided weapon system that moves through air or space to deliver a warhead to a specific target using its own propulsion and guidance systems.

About the Indian Missile System

The Indian missile system is indigenously built, encompassing short- to long-range missiles, ensuring defence, nuclear deterrence, precision strikes, and self-reliance.

• DRDO, established in 1958, leads all indigenous missile development programs.
• India ranks among 7 nations (USA, Russia, China, France, UK, North Korea, India) possessing intercontinental ballistic missile capability.
• Missile ranges span from 30 km (Akash) to over 8,000 km (Agni-V).
• India achieved nuclear triad capability with land, air, and sea-based missile platforms.
• India exports missiles to over 15 countries, including the Philippines, Armenia, and Vietnam.
• The hypersonic missile program aims to achieve speeds of Mach 8 or higher with a 1,500 km range by 2030.

India's missile systems are built using advanced indigenous technology, ensuring precision, speed, and reliability in modern warfare.

• Advanced Guidance Systems: Inertial navigation, GPS/NavIC satellite guidance, and active radar seekers for accurate targeting.
• Multi-Stage Propulsion: Solid-fuel rockets for quick launch and ramjet engines for sustained supersonic speeds.
• Fire-and-Forget Technology: Once launched, missiles require no further operator input, reducing risk to launch platforms.
• All-Weather Capability: Systems function effectively in day, night, and adverse weather conditions.
• Mobile Launch Platforms: Land-based mobile launchers, naval ships, submarines, and aircraft integration.

Must read: Mission Sudarshan Chakra: India’s Indigenous Air Defence System

India’s missile arsenal covers a wide spectrum of operational roles, from protecting airspace to strategic nuclear deterrence, with all major categories indigenously developed or co-developed under DRDO.

Key Categories and Examples:

1. Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs):

• Akash- medium-range, radar-guided air defence (30 km).
• MRSAM- naval version co-developed with Israel (70 km).
• Advanced Air Defence Missile (AAD)-endo-atmospheric interceptor.

2. Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs):

• Astra- beyond-visual-range, active radar seeker (100 km)

3. Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missiles:

• Agni series- strategic range (700–8,000 km) with multi-stage solid propulsion
• Prithvi- tactical battlefield support (150–350 km)

4. Cruise Missiles:

• BrahMos- supersonic sea/land/air-launched cruise missile (up to 290 km)
• Nirbhay- subsonic long-range land-attack cruise missile (1,000 km)

5. Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs):

• Helina-helicopter-launched, fire-and-forget (7 km)
• Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile-infantry version (4 km)

6. Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs):

• K-series (Sagarika/K-15)-second-strike deterrent (750 km)

Each category enhances India’s multi-layered defence posture, ensuring airspace integrity, tactical battlefield support, and strategic deterrence.

Also read: Patriot Air Defence Missile System: Features and Capabilities

India's missile development has achieved remarkable success through systematic programs spanning four decades.

• Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP, 1983-2008): Led by Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, developed five key missile systems - Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul, and Nag.
• BrahMos Aerospace Joint Venture (1998): Indo-Russian collaboration producing supersonic cruise missiles with speeds up to Mach 3.
• Independent Strategic Projects (2008-present): Advanced Agni series (IV, V, VI), submarine-launched K-missiles, and hypersonic technology demonstrators.
• Ballistic Missile Defence Programme: Development of PAD (Prithvi Air Defence) and AAD (Advanced Air Defence) interceptor systems.

A strong defence capability underpins national sovereignty, regional stability, and technological self-reliance, ensuring India can secure its borders and strategic interests.

• Surge in Indigenous Production: Defence production reached ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, a 174% rise since 2014–15 under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Export Growth: Defence exports hit a record ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023-24, marking a 30-fold increase over the past decade.
• R&D and Innovation: Initiatives like iDEX foster start-ups and drive cutting-edge technologies in AI, cyber-security, and advanced weapon systems.
• Force Modernisation: Capability development aligns with strategic goals, supporting modernisation of land, air, and naval forces under integrated theatre commands.
• Regional Balance: Advanced systems like BrahMos and hypersonic missiles maintain strategic equilibrium against neighbouring threats.

Also read: Aero India 2025

Despite significant progress, India faces several obstacles in achieving complete self-reliance in missile technology.

• Critical Technology Gaps: Advanced jet engines, semiconductor chips, and high-grade materials still require imports.
• Private Sector Participation: Limited involvement of private companies in R&D and manufacturing compared to global standards.
• Supply Chain Dependencies: Reliance on foreign components for guidance systems and advanced electronics creates vulnerabilities.
• Cost and Time Overruns: Complex projects like IGMDP face budget escalations and timeline delays affecting operational readiness.

India is developing next-generation missile systems to maintain technological superiority in changing threat scenarios.

• Pralay: Trials proved solid fuel, precise guidance, and multi-warhead design.
• ULPGM-V3: Drone-launched missile tested seekers and modular warheads in all conditions.
• BM-04: Canister-launched, 400–1,500 km range with high accuracy.
• BrahMos II: Engine tests completed for Mach 5+ cruise missile; full trials pending.
• Submarine HGV: Underwater launch of hypersonic glide vehicle for sea deterrence.
• Enhanced Pinaka: User trials of longer-range, faster-salvo artillery rockets.
• Agni-5 MIRV: Test of multiple warheads for flexible targeting.

In 2025, these upgrades will increase India’s attack range, strengthen its defence power, and add new launch options to face future security challenges.

The Indian Missile System UPSC notes are highly relevant for both Science & Technology and Current Affairs preparation. A clear understanding of India’s missile programme helps aspirants link national security with self-reliance, strategic deterrence, and technological progress.

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