Indian Missile Capabilities analysis in Layman terms

(Source: WallpaperFlare)

Introduction:

Over the years, India has achieved considerable advancements in building its military capabilities, particularly in the areas of missile technology, naval power, airpower, and cyberwarfare. India has established itself as a significant regional power in South Asia with a sizable and well-trained armed force, nuclear weapons, and cutting-edge missile systems like the Agni series and BrahMos cruise missiles.

A number of indigenous firms, including HAL, Bharat Electronics, and DRDO, are engaged in designing and producing defence equipment for the Indian Armed Forces, contributing to India's robust defence sector. In addition, India has been obtaining cutting-edge defence technology from other nations through joint ventures and partnerships, which has improved its capabilities.

List of Missiles Manufactured by India:

    (Image Source: Indiatimes.com)
 
   India possesses a variety of missiles in its stargazing arsenal. Here are some of the missiles that India has built and tested its capabilities:

• Agni series - Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, Agni-IV, and Agni-V , Agni-VI and Agni-P (Under development)
• Prithvi series - Prithvi-I, Prithvi-II, and Prithvi-III
• BrahMos cruise missile - developed jointly with Russia , BrahMos-II (Under development)
• Shaurya missile
• Nirbhay cruise missile
• Akash missile
• Nag missile
• Surya missile (under development)
• Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)

These missiles have varying ranges, payloads, and capabilities, and are designed for different purposes ranging from strategic deterrence to tactical battlefield use.

Categorization and Classification of Missiles:

Let us first check out The two main types of missiles are:

    Surface-to-Surface Missiles: These are missiles that are launched from a surface platform, such as land or sea, and are designed to strike ground targets or other surface-based targets. They can have different ranges, varying from short-range to intercontinental range, and can be guided or unguided.

    Air-to-Surface Missiles: These are missiles that are launched from an airborne platform, such as aircraft or drones, and are designed to strike ground targets or other surface-based targets. They can have different guidance systems, such as laser guidance, GPS guidance, or infrared imaging, and can have different warhead types, such as high explosive, fragmentation, or armor-piercing.

    There are also other types of missiles, such as air-to-air missiles, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and cruise missiles, but these are not considered as the main two types.

India classifies the missile categories as

• Surface-To-Air Missiles – SAM
• Air-to-air missiles AAM
• Surface-to-surface missiles
• Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)/Interceptor Missiles
• Cruise Missiles
• Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles
• Anti-Tank Missiles.

Before explaining about missiles and rockets , let us first know about how these projectiles had made an impact in our History:

                     (Image Source: Wikipedia)

    Rockets were first utilized for military objectives in ancient China in the ninth century, where they have their roots. Gunpowder and the earliest rockets, which were simply bamboo tubes with gunpowder inside that were fired into the air, were both inventions attributed to the Chinese. The Mongols, Persians, and ultimately the Europeans all contributed to the advancement and improvement of rocket technology over time. In the contemporary period, rockets have been essential to satellite communication and space exploration.

    

   
                (Image Source: Wikipedia)
    
    The Kingdom of Mysore and different coalitions commanded by the British fought a series of battles on the Indian subcontinent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries known as the Mysore Wars. In these battles, notably in the 1790s, rockets were cruciality Tipu Sultan, the then-ruler of Mysore, was reputed to have had a well-equipped rocket artillery battalion that he employed successfully against the British soldiers. The iron or wood construction and solid fuel propulsion of Tipu Sultan's rockets allowed them to reach targets several hundred yards away. Additionally, they were very agile, enabling firing from cover or around corners. The British forces, who had never used such weapons before, allegedly panicked as a result of the Mysore army's efficient employment of rockets. The legacy of the Mysore rocket technology may still be observed in contemporary military systems; however, the British finally learned to adapt to this new style of warfare and even started utilizing rockets themselves.

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP est. 1983):

    IGMDP stands for "Integrated Guided Missile Development Program." It was a program initiated by the Indian government in the 1980s to develop a comprehensive range of missiles for the country's defense needs. The program aimed to develop technologies for surface-to-air, air-to-air, and surface-to-surface missile systems with ranges up to 1500 km. The IGMDP was led by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who later became the President of India. The program resulted in the development of various missiles.

(Image Source : DRDO archi

The IGMDP had a significant impact on India in various ways. Some of the key impacts are:

• Strengthening India's Defense Capabilities: The development of various missiles under the IGMDP has significantly improved India's defense capabilities. These missiles have increased India's deterrence against potential adversaries and provided it with a strategic edge.
• Technological Advancements: The IGMDP resulted in the development of indigenous technological capabilities for missile design, development, and production. This has led to the growth of India's defense industry and helped spur innovation in other sectors as well.
• Boosting National Pride: The success of the IGMDP in developing cutting-edge missile technology has given a sense of pride to Indians and boosted their confidence in their country's scientific and technological capabilities.
• Export Potential: Several countries have expressed interest in buying Indian-made missiles, indicating the export potential of these products. This could provide a boost to India's economy and further strengthen its position as a leader in missile technology.

    Overall, the IGMDP has had a significant impact on India's defense, technology, and economy, and has contributed to enhancing the country's standing in the global community.

The following image categorizes miaaile categories , we will exclusively see the Launch Type Classifications

The Major Categories (SAM , SSM):

        (Image Source: Akash SAM in action , ANI)

A type of missile called a surface-to-air missile (SAM) is made to be launched from the ground in order to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft or other missiles in flight. SAMs typically include a radar system for tracking targets, a guidance system to guide the missile towards the target, and a warhead to destroy it upon impact. They are frequently employed as a component of a larger air defense system to defend cities, military installations, and other strategic targets from aerial attack.

    (Image Source: SSM Brahmos in Action , PTI)

A surface-to-surface missile (SSM) is a type of missile that is intended to be fired from a ground-based platform, such as a vehicle, ship, or facility, and is focused on a target on the surface of the ground or at sea. Surface-to-surface missiles are used primarily for offensive reasons against ground targets, such as hostile fortifications, vehicles, or naval vessels, in contrast to surface-to-air missiles, which are intended to intercept incoming aircraft threats.

    Depending on its design and intended purpose, surface-to-surface missiles might have a range, accuracy, and payload that differs. 

Pinaka - The Multi-barrel rocket launcher :

Pinaka is a type of MRL developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is a multi-barrel rocket launcher that can fire up to 12 rockets in just 44 seconds. Pinaka has a range of around 40-80 km, depending on the variant, and can be used for both offensive and defensive operations. The Pinaka missile system consists of two variants: Pinaka Mark-I and Pinaka Mark-II. Pinaka Mark-I is an older version with a range of 40 km and can carry a payload of 100 kg. On the other hand, Pinaka Mark-II has a range of 70-80 km and can carry a payload of 250 kg. Both variants use guided and unguided rockets and can be fitted with various types of warheads, including high-explosive, incendiary, and anti-tank.

    (Image Source : DD National)

Pinaka has been successfully deployed by the Indian Army and has proved to be effective in various combat scenarios. Its ability to fire multiple rockets simultaneously makes it a potent weapon system capable of neutralizing enemy targets swiftly and decisively.

Coastal Missiles

Coastal missiles as its names suggests , we will be going through the categories missiles and special addition of torpedoes.

    A surface-to-sea missile is a type of guided missile that is launched from a surface platform, such as a ship, to target a sea-based object, such as another ship or a stationary target on the water. These missiles can be designed to travel at high speeds and maneuver in mid-flight to evade defensive countermeasures. They may use various guidance systems, such as radar or infrared, to locate and track their targets. 

    (Image Source: Nationalinterest.org , Brahmos-II sea-sea missile (Yet to be ready for procurement))

    A sea-to-sea missile is often launched from a ship in the water and primarily targets enemies in the sea. As In most cases, "Sea-to-Sea" refers to missiles that are fired from a platform at sea and are meant to strike another seaborne target, such as ships. However, not all Sea-to-Sea missiles are particularly anti-ship missiles. Some might be created for different uses, such land attack or anti-submarine warfare. However, many Sea-to-Sea missiles—often referred to as "anti-ship missiles" (ASM)—are in fact primarily intended for use against surface ships.

            (Image Source: Unnamed ship based interceptor missile tested by DRDO , PTI)

    A sea-to-coastal missile is a particular kind of missile that is fired from a ship or submarine and is intended to strike a land-based target, such as a military installation, a port, or other infrastructure. These missiles are intended to enable naval troops to attack targets on land without having to approach densely fortified regions along the shore. Because they need both sophisticated targeting systems and cutting-edge missile technology to be successful, sea-to-coastal missiles are very uncommon in the globe. They may also be challenging to operate because to environmental factors including weather and ocean currents, and their range may be constrained by the range of the launch platform.

        (Image Source: NASM-SR , Anti ship missile from ship as well as from helicopter , source PTI , PTC News)

    Having sea-to-coastal , sea-to-sea or coastal missiles offers a nation's naval forces more adaptability and range when it comes to carrying out military operations, which is why having them is so important. With the use of these weapons, naval troops may attack targets far inland without placing themselves in danger by crossing into disputed territory. This can be particularly crucial when a nation has to project force across great distances or when conventional land-based military resources are not accessible or are inadequate.

Torpedoes are self-propelled underwater weapons that are intended to be fired from a ship or submarine and are usually directed at other vessels as their target. Both surface and underwater ships may be attacked with it. A missile is built for both air and sea launch, and it typically travels through the air before hitting the water to reach its target. This is the fundamental distinction between a missile and a torpedo. In contrast, a torpedo is launched from submarines or ships and is made particularly to function underwater.

        (Image Source: Indian Navy, Varunastra torpedo)    
    
    Due to their ability to track and zero in on a submarine's acoustic signature and their design to function in an undersea environment, torpedoes are very effective against submarines. Additionally, they may be used to surface targets like ships. Torpedoes are still used in naval conflicts, although advanced anti-submarine warfare equipment has made it harder for torpedoes to successfully attack their targets.

Kalam series of marine marauders :

    As a tribute to our former honorable president , the person who still lives in the hearts of Indians , Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has been given a tribute by naming the series of Ballistic missiles that can be launched through the submarine as K-Series missiles , the fast , light and stealthy missiles which are same as Agni is developed as SRBM , MRBM and 2 ICBMs are under the development.

The K series missiles and the Agni missile are both ballistic missiles developed by India. The K series includes the K-4 and K-5 missiles, while the Agni missile family includes the Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, Agni-IV, and Agni-V missiles. In terms of range, the Agni missiles generally have longer ranges than the K series missiles. For example, the Agni-V missile has a range of over 5,000 kilometers, while the K-5 missile has a range of around 5,000 kilometers. However, the K-4 missile has a range of around 3,500 kilometers, which is longer than the ranges of the Agni-I, Agni-II, and Agni-III missiles.

(Image Source: DRDO , Sagarika K-15)

Another difference between the two missile families is their intended use. The K series missiles are primarily submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), designed to be launched from submarines. The Agni missiles, on the other hand, are land-based ballistic missiles, although some versions can be launched from mobile platforms as well. Overall, both the K series and Agni missiles are important components of India's missile defense capabilities, with each family of missiles offering different advantages and capabilities.

The Special Aero Missiles :

   
    Each air based missile in our country is of a unique characteristic missile , that is used in the warfare and each has special abilities , we will see through the list of the air based missiles.

    An anti-radiation missile (ARM) is a type of missile designed to detect and track sources of electromagnetic radiation such as radar emissions. The missile launches its warhead, which explodes as it closes in on the radiation source, obliterating the target. An ARM's main benefits come from its capacity to disable or eliminate hostile air defense systems. An ARM can give a major edge in aerial battle by aiming for and damaging radar systems, neutralizing an enemy's capacity to monitor and detect ally aircraft.

    (Image Source : DRDO, Rudram the Anti-radiation missile)

    An ARM may also be used to interfere with and take out electronic communication networks, which makes it simpler for allying troops to take over a battlefield. Because of this, it functions well as a weapon in both offensive and defensive situations.

    A guided missile known as an anti-tank missile is used to obliterate tanks and other armored vehicles. An anti-tank missile's principal objective is to kill or cripple enemy armor at a safe distance, shielding infantry or other forces from direct fire.Anti-tank missiles can often pierce even the thickest armor on contemporary tanks because of their high strength. They frequently have cutting-edge guiding systems, such as laser or infrared sensors, that let them track and target certain vehicles.

(Image Source: DRDO , Nagastra and Dhruvastra , Anti-tank missiles in action)

    A military's stockpile of anti-tank missiles can offer a number of benefits on the battlefield. First, they lessen the chance of losses by enabling ground forces to engage hostile armor from a safe distance. Second, they can be employed to eliminate important enemy targets that might otherwise be challenging to destroy, such as tanks or other armored vehicles. Additionally, because they can cut through heavy armor, they may be used to successfully target and demolish strongly protected locations like bunkers or fortifications. Usually anti-tanks once fired, the missile flies to the target without further action from the operator. The Nagastra also has another name Helina which has the Jet Vane control system at the bottomside, made with russian and indian technology.

The Nuclear Triad :

(Image Source: nextbigfuture.com)

   The Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) submarine program was started by India in 1983, despite the country having considered the possibility of nuclear-powered submarines as early as the 1960s. (source) One of the three legs of India's triad of airborne, naval, and land-based platforms as a minimum nuclear deterrent (MND), the ATV is a component of the country's sea-based nuclear deterrent. Modernization and present-day skills The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the Indian Navy, and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are in charge of the management and operations (M&O) of India's nuclear-powered submarine program in Visakhapatnam. By putting its first ATV submarine, the INS Arihant, into service in August 2016, India started the process of operationalizing its nuclear trio. Presently, India is building two new submarine bases. Karwar, which is situated 500 kilometers south of Mumbai, is the first. The INS Varsha, a covert naval installation, is the second. This station will include subterranean enclosures for the submarines and is located close to Kakinada on the east coast. 

    The nuclear triad describes a nation's capacity to deploy nuclear weapons using three different platforms: aircraft-delivered bombs, submarine-launched missiles, and land-based missiles. A nuclear trio is necessary to maintain a nation's nuclear arsenal's credibility, survivability, and adaptability. When India successfully tested the K-15 Sagarika, the country's first SLBM, in 2018, it completed a nuclear triad. India is now one of the few nations in the world having a nuclear triad capability as a result of this accomplishment. India has already created a variety of air-delivered bombs like the Mirage 2000 and land-based missiles like the Agni series.

    India's decision to create a nuclear triad was motivated by strategic factors such the desire to frighten away prospective foes and have a credible nuclear deterrent posture. The addition of a nuclear trio has also improved India's strategic independence and its capacity to exert influence in the area. 

    Currently India satisfies the nuclear triad category as:

• Nuclear powered submarine : INS Arihant with K-series missiles (Refer K-missiles above)
• Sukhoi SU-30 MKI equipped with Nirbhay missile
• Agni-V ICBM from land
  
  
  
  

 (Image Source: TOI )

Note : In Air Vector , Rafale is also added and operational since 2022

    

The following are the three aircrafts , Sukhoi Su-30s and Rafale at the center all are nuclear powered , the missile nirbhay (which is carried in the carrier at right) , is a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads . (Image Source PTI , Republic Day Parade)

 This INS Arihant is a nuclear powered submarine , carries the K-Series nuclear powered SLBMs , like K-15 Sagarika , which is in the right in the missile carrier. 
 (Image Source PTI , Republic Day Parade)

Agni and Prithvi Missiles (Image Source: TI , Republic Day Parade)

Anti-Satellite Missile:

    An anti-satellite (ASAT) missile is a weapon used to take down satellites in orbit. These missiles typically launch from a plane or the ground, and they employ explosive warheads or kinetic energy (in the case of "hit-to-kill" weapons) to incapacitate or destroy their target.

    Early in the new millennium, India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) launched the Shakti project to create an anti-satellite missile capability. The goal of the project was to develop a missile that could track down and take out hostile satellites in low Earth orbit. After the United States, Russia, and China, India became the fourth nation in the world to successfully test its first ASAT missile, known as "Mission Shakti," on March 27, 2019. An Indian satellite in low Earth orbit was successfully targeted by the missile after it was fired from the Integrated Test Range on Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, India.

     
          (Image Source: DRDO)

    A major accomplishment for India's military capabilities is the development of its anti-satellite missile technology, which has given the nation's posture of strategic deterrence a new facet.

Conclusion:

  
   To conclude the entire capability development of Indian missiles and the enriching the Vision and Mission of Dr.APJ who lives in our hearts , the missile development and testing must progress even faster , the missiles and nuclear strength or the space prowess are not only used in warfare or space race , these things are used to determine the progress of the country and how it develops , instead of focusing on defense and scientific development , the country fights harder to avoid the unproductive factors that affect the youth of the nation , the youth must throw out the barriers and focus on the defence , science and cultural development of the civilized Indian society will lead us being the superpower. These kinds of missiles development has faced a lot of issues like the issues in Pokhran or the condemnation of NASA in mission shakti or the activism against the nuclear power , pollution control activism , we need to achieve our goals by breaking these barriers.
 
Jai Hind  

Podcast References:

Five Elements of Missile - Tamil

Space and Satellites - Tamil

Land Military - I - Tamil

Land Military - II - Tamil