Defence Research in India | General Studies

Table of Contents

Ballistic Missile System

A ballistic missile system is a weapon system that delivers a warhead to a target.
It typically consists of a missile, a launch vehicle, and a guidance system.
Ballistic missiles can be categorized based on their range and purpose, such as short-range, medium-range, intermediate-range, and intercontinental-range missiles.
Here are the examples of ballistic missile systems used by the Indian Armed Forces:
Agni Series:
The Agni missile is a family of medium to intercontinental-range ballistic missiles developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
Agni missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The first missile of the series, Agni-I was successfully tested in 1989.
: Short-range ballistic missile with a range of around 700-800 km.
: Medium-range ballistic missile with a range of around 2,000-3,000 km.
: Intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of around 3,000-5,000 km.
: Intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of around 4,000 km.
: Intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.
: Planned next-generation ICBM with a range of over 6,000 km.

Name	Type	Range
Agni-I
Agni-II
Agni-III
Agni-IV
Agni-V
Agni-VI

Prithvi Series:
Prithvi-I: Tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of around 150-250 km.
Prithvi-II: Tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of around 250-350 km.
Prithvi-III: Tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of around 350-600 km.
Shaurya Missile:
A land-based hypersonic surface-to-surface tactical missile with a range of around 700-1,000 km.
These ballistic missile systems are developed and maintained by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with various other defense organizations. They form a critical component of India’s strategic deterrence and defense capabilities.

Ballistic missile

A ballistic missile is a type of missile that use a projectile motion to deliver warheads to a target.
This trajectory is characterized by a parabolic path influenced primarily by gravity and air resistance. Ballistic missiles are typically powered during the initial phase of flight to provide the necessary velocity to reach the desired target, after which they follow an unpowered, free-fall trajectory.
The missile can be launched from a platform such as a mobile launcher, submarine, or fixed site. The launch can be either from the surface of the Earth or from a submerged position in the case of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
Short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) stay within Earth’s atmosphere, while intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) travel on a sub-orbital flight path.
Guidance systems onboard the missile adjust its trajectory to ensure accurate payload delivery to the target.
Ballistic missiles can vary greatly in terms of range, payload capacity, and intended use. They can be categorized into different classes based on their range and capability, such as short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs), intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Cruise Missile Systems in India

Cruise missile systems are sophisticated weapons designed to deliver a payload to a precise target with high accuracy and lethality. Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles fly at low altitudes and can maneuver during flight, making them harder to detect and intercept. India has developed and deployed several cruise missile systems to bolster its defense capabilities and maintain strategic deterrence.
Here are the examples of cruise missile systems used by the Indian Armed Forces:
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile:
Developed jointly by India and Russia, BrahMos is one of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles.
Capable of flying at speeds of Mach 2.8 to Mach 3, with a range of around 300 to 500 km.
Available in various versions, including air-launched, ship-launched, and ground-launched variants.
Known for its precision strike capability and versatility in both land-attack and anti-ship roles.
Nirbhay Subsonic Cruise Missile:
Developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Nirbhay is a subsonic cruise missile.
Features terrain-hugging and sea-skimming capabilities to evade enemy radar detection.
Designed for long-range strike missions with a reported range of over 1,000 km.
Equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems for high precision targeting.
BrahMos-NG (Next Generation):
A lighter and faster variant of the BrahMos missile designed for increased operational flexibility.
Intended for air-launched and ground-launched platforms, including fighter aircraft and mobile launchers.
Expected to have a reduced weight and a range of around 400 km, enhancing its effectiveness in various scenarios.
Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV):
While not a conventional cruise missile, the HSTDV is a significant development in hypersonic technology.
Designed to achieve speeds of Mach 6 and above, offering unparalleled speed and maneuverability.
Could pave the way for the development of hypersonic cruise missiles with unprecedented speed and precision.
These cruise missile systems play a crucial role in India’s defense strategy by providing the armed forces with versatile and potent capabilities for both offensive and defensive operations. Their development and deployment demonstrate India’s commitment to enhancing its indigenous defense capabilities and maintaining regional security.

Cruise Missile

A cruise missile is a guided missile that flies at low altitudes.
It is powered throughout its flight and can deliver a payload to a target with high accuracy.
Launch: A cruise missile can be launched from a platform, a ship, a submarine, an aircraft, or a ground-based launcher.
Guidance System Activation: Once launched, the guidance system of the cruise missile is activated. This system includes various sensors and navigation equipment to determine the missile’s position and guide it towards the target.
Flight: The missile’s propulsion system, which could be a jet engine or a rocket engine, provides sustained thrust to keep the missile airborne.
Cruise missiles can fly at subsonic or supersonic speeds depending on their design.
Navigation: During flight, the cruise missile continuously receives updates from its guidance system, allowing it to navigate along a predetermined flight path. The guidance system may use various techniques such as inertial navigation, GPS (Global Positioning System), TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching), or DSMAC (Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation) to maintain accuracy.
Target Acquisition: As the cruise missile approaches the target area, its guidance system locates and tracks the designated target using onboard sensors, such as radar or infrared seekers.
Terminal Guidance: In the final phase of the flight, the cruise missile adjusts its trajectory based on real-time target information received from its guidance system. This ensures precise targeting and delivery of the payload.

Anti-satellite (ASAT) Missile System

India possesses an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile system known as “Mission Shakti.” The successful test of this system was conducted on March 27, 2019.
During the test, an Indian-made Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) interceptor missile was used to shoot down a live satellite orbiting at an altitude of approximately 300 km above the Earth’s surface.
Mission Shakti:
Mission Shakti was the code name given to India’s ASAT missile test.
It demonstrated India’s capability to shoot down a live satellite in low Earth orbit (LEO) using an interceptor missile.
Interceptor Missile:
The interceptor missile used in Mission Shakti was developed as part of India’s Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) program.
It was launched from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island (formerly known as Wheeler Island) off the coast of Odisha.
Target Satellite:
The target satellite was an Indian satellite, Microsat-R, which was orbiting at an altitude of approximately 300 km.
Microsat-R was chosen as the target to minimize space debris and the risk of collateral damage.
Strategic Significance:
The successful test of India’s ASAT missile system demonstrated the country’s technological capabilities in space warfare.
It placed India in the select group of nations with ASAT missile capabilities.
Space Debris Concerns:
The test generated concerns about space debris as the destruction of the satellite created thousands of pieces of debris in orbit.
India assured the international community that the test was conducted in a responsible manner to minimize the risk of debris.
India’s development of the ASAT missile system signifies its growing capabilities in space technology and defense. While the test was primarily aimed at demonstrating India’s technological prowess, it also underlined the importance of space security in the modern strategic landscape.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

India has made significant strides in the development and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, for various military, surveillance, and civilian applications.
DRDO Rustom Series:
- The Rustom series of UAVs is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to cater to different operational requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
- Rustom-I: It is a tactical UAV primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It has a range of around 200 kilometers and can operate at altitudes up to 22,000 feet.
- Rustom-II: This medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV is designed for both reconnaissance and combat missions. It has a range of approximately 250-300 kilometers and an endurance of 24 hours.
- Rustom-H: The Rustom-H is a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAV capable of operating at altitudes above 30,000 feet. It is designed for long-duration surveillance missions and can stay airborne for over 24 hours.
DRDO Lakshya:
- Lakshya is an aerial target drone developed by DRDO primarily for use as a target for testing and evaluating various missile systems. It is also used for training air defense personnel.
- The Lakshya drone is capable of simulating different aerial threats, including enemy aircraft and cruise missiles, to facilitate realistic training scenarios.
IAI Heron:
- The Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV operated by the Indian Armed Forces.
- The Heron UAV is used for a variety of missions, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, and border patrolling.
- It has a range of over 1,000 kilometers and can stay airborne for more than 24 hours, providing persistent surveillance capabilities over large areas.
IAI Searcher:
- The IAI Searcher is another UAV operated by the Indian Armed Forces, primarily for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
- It has a range of around 200 kilometers and an endurance of approximately 16-20 hours, making it suitable for both military and civilian applications, including border surveillance and coastal monitoring.
Harpy UAV:
- The Harpy is a loitering munition UAV developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and used by the Indian Armed Forces.
- It is designed to detect, attack, and destroy radar emitters by autonomously searching for and homing in on radar signals.
- The Harpy UAV provides India with a unique capability to neutralize enemy air defense systems by targeting their radar installations.
Netra UAV:
- The Netra UAV is an indigenous UAV developed by the DRDO for the Indian Air Force.
- It is specifically designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions and is equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems for real-time data gathering and transmission.
Civilian and Commercial UAVs:
- In addition to military applications, India has also witnessed a growing use of UAVs for civilian and commercial purposes, including aerial photography, surveying, agriculture, disaster management, and infrastructure inspection.

Radar

The Indian Armed Forces employ a variety of radars for surveillance, reconnaissance, and defense purposes. Here are some notable radar systems used by the Indian military:
INDRA Radar Series:
- Developed by India’s DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization), the INDRA series consists of 2D radars.
- INDRA-I: A mobile surveillance radar designed for low-level target detection.
- INDRA-II: Used for ground-controlled interception of targets.
RAJENDRA Radar:
- This radar system is deployed on India’s indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile system.
- It provides target tracking and fire control capabilities for the Akash missile.
Central Acquisition Radar (3D-CAR):
- Developed by the LRDE (Electronics and Radar Development Establishment), this radar has several variants:
  - ROHINI: Used by the Indian Air Force.
  - REVATHI: Deployed by the Indian Navy.
  - 3D Tactical Control Radar: Developed for the Indian Army.
Swathi Weapon Locating Radar (WLR):
- The Swathi WLR is designed to detect and track incoming artillery shells, mortars, and rockets.
- It aids in locating the source of enemy fire and provides timely alerts to troops.
Ashwini Radar:
- An indigenous radar system used for air surveillance.
- It enhances situational awareness and contributes to air defense.
Arudhra Radar:
- A long-range surveillance radar developed by the LRDE.
- It provides early warning and tracking capabilities.
PJT-531 Battle Field Surveillance Radar:
- Used for ground-based surveillance in battlefield scenarios.
These radar systems play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s airspace, monitoring threats, and ensuring national security.

Artillery

Air Defence System

India has developed an Integrated Air Defense System, which combines various radar systems, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and anti-aircraft guns to detect, track, and intercept incoming aerial threats.

Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs):
- Akash SAM:
- The indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile system is a cornerstone of India’s air defense arsenal, designed to engage aerial targets at ranges up to 30-40 kilometers.
- Featuring advanced guidance systems and a high degree of mobility, the Akash SAM provides a robust defense against a wide range of airborne threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Barak 8 SAM:
- Developed in collaboration with Israel, the Barak 8 is a long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept and destroy incoming threats at ranges up to 70 kilometers.
- Equipped with state-of-the-art radar and guidance systems, the Barak 8 provides India with enhanced capabilities to defend against aerial threats, including enemy aircraft, drones, and anti-ship missiles.
DRDO AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control):
- Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the AEW&C system provides real-time surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, enhancing situational awareness and early warning against airborne threats.
- Equipped with advanced radar systems, communication suites, and mission control capabilities, it serves as a force multiplier for the Indian Air Force (IAF), enabling effective command and control during air defense operations.