India is taking quantum jump in successfully testing a host of advanced and lethal missiles last year and even this year the scenario is witnessing a continuation, ranging from surface-to-air missile to ballistic to anti-tank guided missiles.
Here is the complete list of the successful missile tests that happened between January 2022 to till date.
Brahmos Extended Range Version: In May 2022, India successfully fired the Extended Range Version of BrahMos Air Launched missile from Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft. The launch from the aircraft was as planned and the missile achieved a direct hit on the designated target in the Bay of Bengal region.
In February 2023, the IAF successfully fired the Extended Range Version of Brahmos Air Launched missile against a Ship Target from a SU-30MKI aircraft.
In February 2023, the Indian Army successfully tested a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands. The extended range version of the missile was tested by the Western Command of the Army.
Prithvi-II: A successful training launch of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II was carried out in June from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. The missile is a proven system and is capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision.
In January 2023, a successful training launch of a short-range ballistic missile, Prithvi-II was carried out y from integrated test range, Chandipur.
Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) – In March 2023, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile at Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
Agni: India carried out a successful training launch of Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-3 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha in November 2022. It was part of routine user training launches carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command. The launch was carried out for a predetermined range and validated all operational parameters of the system.
Earlier, in June 2022, a successful training launch Agni-4 was carried out. It, too, validated all operational parameters as also the reliability of the system. The successful test reaffirms India’s policy of having a ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence’ Capability.
Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) – In March 2023, Indian Navy carried out a successful test-firing of a Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) from frontline warship INS Visakhapatnam. MRSAM is jointly developed by DRDO & IAI, and produced at BDL.
Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile: INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile in October. The missile was tested to a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high accuracy. All operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated.
Helina: In April, indigenously-developed helicopter launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’ was successfully flight tested twice at different high-altitude ranges as part of user validation trials. The flight-testswere jointly conducted by DRDO, Indian Army and Indian Air Force.The flight trials were conducted from an Advanced Light Helicopter and the missile was fired successfully engaging simulated tank target.
Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile: Indigenously-developed Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile was successfully test-fired from Main Battle Tank Arjun by DRDO and Indian Army at KK Ranges with support of Armoured Corps Centre & School, Ahmednagar in June. In the test, the ATGM hit the bull’s eye with textbook precision and successfully defeated the target at minimum ranges. The all-indigenous ATGM employs a tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected armoured vehicles.
Naval Anti-Ship Missile: DRDO and Indian Navy successfully conducted maiden flight-test of indigenously-developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile launched from a Naval Helicopter from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha in May 2022.
It was the first indigenous air launched anti-ship missile system for the Indian Navy.The missile followed the desired sea skimming trajectory and reached the designated target with high degree of accuracy, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms. It employed many new technologies, including an indigenously developed launcher for the helicopter.
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile: DRDO and Indian Army successfully completed six flight-tests of Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system from ITR Chandipur off the Odisha coast. The flight tests were conducted as part of evaluation trials by the Indian Army. The flight-tests were carried out against high-speed aerial targets mimicking various types of threats to evaluate the capability of the weapon systems under different scenarios, including long range medium altitude, short range, high altitude manoeuvring target, low radar signature with receding & crossing target and salvo launch with two missiles fired in quick succession.
Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile: Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile Army weapon system has once again proved its effectiveness as two missiles, during the flight tests, achieved direct hits against high speed aerial targets at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha in March. The launches were carried out establishing the accuracy and reliability of the weapon system against targets covering the sea skimming and high altitude functionality within the envelope.
Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile: Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully flight-tested by DRDO and Indian Navy from an Indian Naval Ship at ITR, Chandipur. The system will further strengthen the Indian Navy for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.
Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor: DRDO conducted a successful maiden flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor AD-1 missile with large kill altitude bracket from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha in November 2022. The flight-test was carried out with participation of all BMD weapon system elements located at different geographical locations. The AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.
Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile: In January, DRDO successfully flight tested the final deliverable configuration of Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile. The indigenously developed anti-tank missile is a low weight, fire & forget missile and is launched from a man portable launcher, integrated with thermal sight. The missile impacted the designated target and destroyed it.
Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator: Maiden flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator was carried out successfully by DRDO from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka in July. Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown.
Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System – The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal on April 21, 2023. The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat thereby elevating India into the elite club of Nations having Naval BMD capability.
Prior to this, DRDO has successfully demonstrated land-based BMD system with capability to neutralize ballistic missile threats, emerging from adversaries.
Astra air-to-air missile system – In February 2023, DRDO has successfully test fired the Astra air-to-air missile system off the Odisha coast from a Su-30MKI. The missile fired from a Su-30MKI fighter jet can strike targets beyond 100 km. Reportedly, DRDO will soon be equipping the Astra missile system on Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKIs, Light Combat Aircraft TEJAS MK-1A and MiG-29 UPG.
