Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme
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The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) is an Indian program for the development of a comprehensive range of missiles, including: the intermediate range Agni missile (Surface to Surface), and short range missiles such as the Prithvi ballistic missile (Surface to Surface), Akash missile (Surface to Air), Trishul missile (Surface to Air) and Nag Missile (Anti Tank). Most of these missiles are in various stages of development and deployment. The Astra Missile is being developed for an Air to Air, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) role. Former President of India, Dr.Abdul Kalam, is considered one of the people responsible for the success of IGMDP.[1]
Missiles in Indian history during Islamic Period
The use of rockets and missiles by Indians in modern times dates back to the 18th century, during the period of Muslim ruler Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Fighting the British colonial army, Tipu Sultan's Army used variety of rockets in supporting role(See Tipu Sultan). It was world's first use of rockets for fighting modern wars. In the Second Anglo-Mysore war, at the Battle of Pollilur (10 September 1780), Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan won grandly, whereby the whole British detachment lead by Colonel Baillie was destroyed and 3,820 soldiers taken prisoner (including Colonel Bailli). At the Battle of Seringapatam in 1792, Indian soldiers launched a huge barrage of rockets against British troops, followed by an assault of 36,000 men. Later at the battle of Srirangapattana (4th Anglo-Mysore war) in April 1799, British forces lead by Colonel Arthur Wellesley (Duke of Wellington) ran away from the battlefield when attacked by rockets and musket fire of Tipu Sultan's army[2].
Tipu's rockets were far more advanced than any other at the time, and had been fully integrated into his Army, which were under special Rocket Brigades called Kushoons. These were extremely effective in Battle, and completely scattered the British Armies. These rockets were later re-engineered by William Congreve and known in Britain as Congreve Rockets.
Twentieth century
In the twentieth century, the government of independent India embarked on a number of plans to develop missiles which would strengthen India's defences. In 1958, the government constituted the Special Weapons Development Team which would later become the Defence Research and Development Laboratories (DRDL), to undertake the development of first-generation anti-tank missiles. In the 1970s, the Indian government decided to manufacture anti-tank missiles under license from France. At the same time, DRDL was entrusted with two other projects: Project Valiant, which involved the development of a long-range ballistic missile; and Project Devil, which was aimed at reverse engineering the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile. Both projects were terminated prematurely; Project Valiant was terminated in 1974 and Project Devil met the same fate in 1980.[3]
However, by this time, DRDL had developed some infrastructure and facilities to undertake the design and development of missiles. In 1983, under the experience and leadership of Dr. Abdul Kalam, who had previously been the project director for the SLV-3 programme at ISRO, the Indian government revived the missile program as an Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). As part of this program, the Interim Test Range at Balasore in Orissa was developed for missile testing.
The main aim of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program was to develop, a missile in five different categories simultaneously, namely: a short-range surface-to-air missile (codenamed Trishul), a medium-range surface-to-air missile (codenamed Akash), a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (codenamed Nag), a short-range surface-to-surface missile (codenamed Prithvi), and an intermediate-range surface-to-surface missile (codenamed Agni).[4]
There were a number of failures and successes, which led to an expansion of the program in the 1990s, to develop the long range Agni missile, a ballistic missile (codenamed Sagarika), which would be the naval version of the Prithvi, and an inter-continental-ballistic-missile (codenamed Surya).
In 1998, the Government of India, signed an agreement with Russia to design, develop, manufacture and market a Supersonic Anti-Ship Cruise Missile System (codenamed BrahMos).[5]
Agni Missile System
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The Agni missile (from Sanskrit Agnī meaning "Fire", one of the 5 elements of nature) is an IRBM developed under the IGMDP by India. It was first tested at the Interim Test Range in Chandipur in 1989, and is capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1000 kg (2,200 lb) or a nuclear warhead. It consists of one (short range) or two stages (intermediate range). It is rail and road mobile. It is powered by solid and/or liquid propellants.
Agni-III is the third in the Agni series of missiles. The Agni I has a range of 700-800 km while the Agni-II as a range of 2,000–2,500 km. They are claimed to be a part of the "credible deterrence" against Pakistan and China. The Agni-II can only reach some parts of western China and Asia.
Agni III is expected to be India's nuclear deterrent against People's Republic of China. Agni III development began when relations with China were still negative. However, the rapid improvement in friendly relations between the two nations has reduced the need for rapid deployment of the missile. An operational Agni-III was tested on July 9, 2006 from Wheeler island off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa. After the launch, it was reported that the second stage of the rocket had failed to separate and the missile had fallen well short of its target.[6] It can hit strategic targets deep inside China, including Shanghai and Beijing with a strike range of 3,500 km. It falls short of the range of ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) which have ranges over 5,000 km. As reported earlier, a new type of steel that will help to increase the range from 15 to 30% was developed.[7] On 12th April 2007 Agni-III missile was tested successfully.[8]
The Indian Missile Program has been a largely indigenous one with almost all of the equipment developed by Indian scientists. However it is delayed by some years as more variants of Agni are expected. The UPA government has put restrictions on the development of ICBM and hence a new Agni-III missile with 5000 km range is being developed. This missile is the modified version of the Agni-III missile with another stage. This missile is called the Agni-III* (Agni-III star).[9]
Prithvi Missile System
The Prithvi missile (from Sanskrit pṛthvī "Earth") is the tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The Prithvi was India's first indigenously developed ballistic missile. Development of the Prithvi began in 1983, and it was first test-fired on February 25, 1988. It has a range of up to 150 to 300 km. The land variant is called Prithvi while the naval operational variant of Prithvi I and Prithvi II class missiles are codenamed Dhanush (meaning Bow). Both variants are used for surface targets.
The Prithvi is said to have its propulsion technology derived from the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile. Variants make use of either liquid or both liquid and solid fuels. Developed as a battlefield missile, it could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical nuclear weapon.
Variants of Prithvi
The Prithvi missile project encompassed developing three variants for use by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The initial project framework of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program outlines the variants in the following manner.[10]
- Prithvi I - Army Version (150 km range with a payload of 1,000kg)
- Prithvi II - Air Force Version (250 km range with a payload of 500kg)
- Prithvi III - Naval Version (350 km range with a payload of 500kg)
Over the years these specifications underwent a number of changes. While the codename Prithvi stands for any missile inducted by India into its armed forces in this category, the later developmental versions are codenamed as Prithvi II and Prithvi III. The induction of Prithvi I class of missiles happened in 1994 and the armed forces are in the process of inducting the extended range, Prithvi II class of missiles as of 2006.
Prithvi I
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Prithvi I class was a single stage liquid-fuelled surface-to-surface missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 1000 kg, with a range of 150 km. It has an accuracy of 10 - 50 metres and can be launched from Transporter erector launchers. This class of Prithvi missile was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994.
Prithvi II
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Prithvi II class is also a single stage liquid-fuelled missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 1000kg, but with an extended range of 250 kilometres (155 statute miles). It was developed with the Indian Air Force being the primary user. It was first test-fired on January 27, 1996 and the development stages were completed in 2004. The Prithvi II class of missiles are in the process of induction by the Indian Airforce.
Prithvi III
Prithvi III class (codenamed Sagarika meaning Oceanic)[11] is a two-stage surface-to-surface missile in the developmental stages. The first stage is solid fuelled with a 16 metric ton force (157 kN) thrust motor. The second stage is liquid fuelled. The missile can carry a 1000 kg warhead to a distance of 350 km and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of 600 kilometres and a 250 kilogram warhead up to a distance of 750 kilometres. The design is developed while keeping the navy in mind.
Sagarika will be a nuclear-capable, cruise missile, capable of being mounted in ships or submarines. Considering the upward capability developments, Prithvi class of missiles could be reclassified from short-range ballistic missile to a medium range ballistic missile. The current codename of the operational variant Dhanush could pave way for the new codename Sagarika as Sagarika becomes operational. Dhanush was successfully tested on March 30, 2007. Sagarika will be inducted into the Advanced Technology Vessel being developed for Indian Navy.[12]
There were a number of shortcoming in the initial version of Prithvi missiles namely, High circular error probability (CEP) of around 500 meters and volatility of the liquid-fuelled propulsion system requiring fuelling only just before launching. These shortcomings are being overcome in the latest developmental versions by incorporating of global positioning system (GPS) into the missiles to reduce the CEP to as low as 10 to 15 meters and use of solid fuel in the propulsion system.[13]
Akash Missile System
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Akash (in Sanskrit meaning Sky) is a medium range surface-to-air missile developed as part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program to achieve self-sufficiency in the area of surface-to-air missiles.
Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile with an intercept range of 30 km. It has a launch weight of 720 kg, a diameter of 35 cm and a length of 5.8 metres. Akash flies at supersonic speed, reaching around 2.5 Mach. It can reach an altitude of 18 km. A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 55kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated. It is propelled by a solid fuelled booster stage. The missile has a terminal guidance system capable of working through electronic countermeasures. Features include capability of attacking multiple targets, and use of ramjet propulsion system that enables maintenance of required speeds without deceleration, unlike the Patriot missiles.[14] The missile is supported by a multi-target and multi-function phased array fire control radar called 'Rajendra' with a range of about 60 km.[15]
Latest reports indicate that the missile can be completely guided by the Radar, without any active guidance of its own, which allows it to defeat any countermeasures, and also gives no warning to the aircraft that it is being attacked.
Design of the missile is much similar to SA-6 with four long tube ramjet inlet ducts mounted mid-body between wings. For pitch/yaw control four clipped triangular moving wings are mounted on mid-body. For roll control four inline clipped delta fins with ailerons are mounted before the tail.
While the missile meant for the Army can be launched from tracked vehicles such as battle tanks, the Air Force version can take off from wheeled vehicles. Three ready-to-fire Akash missiles can be carried in a battle tank. The missiles can take off in different directions and destroy multiple targets. Akash can be deployed by rail, road or air. The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997.
The IAF has initiated the process to induct the Akash and Trishul surface-to-air missiles developed as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. Multiple targets handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in C4I environment. Two Akash missiles intercepted two fast moving targets in simultaneous engagement mode back in 2005. 3-D central acquisition radar (3-D car) group mode performance is also fully established.[16][17]
Official website for Akash SAM www.akashsam.com
Trishul Missile System
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Trishul (Sanskrit for trident) is the name of a short range surface-to-air missile developed by India as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. It has a range of 9 km and is fitted with a 5.5 kg warhead. Designed to be used against low-level (sea skimming) targets at short range, the system has been developed to defend naval vessels against missiles and also as a short range surface to air missile on land. Guidance consists of three different guiding beams, with the guidance handed over progressively to a narrower beam as the missile approaches the target.
According to reports, the range of the missile is 12 km and is fitted with a 15 kg warhead. The weight of the missile is 130 kg. The length of the missile is 3.1 m[18].
Nag Missile System
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Nag (Sanskrit for "cobra") is India's third generation "Fire-and-forget" anti-tank missile. It is an all weather, top attack missile with a range of 4 to 7 km.
The missile uses an 8 kg tandem HEAT warhead capable of defeating modern armour including ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour) and composite armour. Nag uses Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) guidance with day and night capability. Mode of launch for the IIR seeker is LOBL (Lock On Before Launch). Nag can be mounted on an infantry vehicle; a helicopter launched version will also be available with integration work being carried out with the HAL Dhruv.
Separate versions for the Army and the Air Force are being developed. For the Army, the missiles will be carried by specialist carrier vehicles (NAMICA-Nag Missile Carrier) equipped with a thermal imager for target acquisition. NAMICA is a modified BMP-2 ICV licence produced as "Sarath" in India. The carriers are capable of carrying four ready-to-fire missiles in the observation/launch platform which can be elevated with more missiles available for reload within the carrier. For the Air Force, a nose-mounted thermal imaging system has been developed for guiding the missile's trajectory. The missile has a complete fiberglass structure and weighs around 42 kg.
Nag was successfully test fired for the 45th time on March 19, 2005 from the Test Range at Ahmednagar (Maharastra), signalling the completion of the developmental phase. It will now enter production phase, subject to user trials and acceptance by the Indian Army.
Further versions of the missile may make use of an all-weather Milli Metric Wave (MMW) seeker as an additional option. This seeker has reportedly been developed and efforts are on to integrate it into the missile.
Specifications
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Total length: 1.90 m (6.23 ft)
Diameter: 190 mm (7.5 in)
Wingspan: -
Weight: 42 kg (93 lb)
Warhead Weight: 8 kg (17.6 lb)
Propellant: Tandem Propulsion solid (Nitramine based smokeless extruded double band sustainer propellant)
Maximum effective range: 4 km (Guidance mode: IIR (Imaging infra-red)), 7 km for air-launched variant
Attack Mode: Lock-on-before-Launch - Top attack
Seeker: IIR cadmium zinc telluride
Single-shot hit probability: 0.77
CEP: 0.9 m R.S
Astra Missile System
The Astra missile (from the Sanskrit Astrā, meaning "Weapon") is an air-to-air (AA), beyond visual range (BVR) missile under development by India under its Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. This is the first indigenous air-to-air missile developed by India. The range of this missile is 80 km in head-on chase and 15 km in tail chase. This missile was successfully tested without control and guidance systems on May 9 to May 12, 2003. The missile was again successfully tested on 25 March, 2007.[19]
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing this advanced beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) for its Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Sea Harrier, Su-30MKI, and the Light Combat Aircraft [LCA]. Astra looks like an elongated Matra Super 530. It uses an indigenously developed solid fuel propellant, though DRDO is believed to be looking at rocket/ramjet propulsion similar to that used in its AKASH SAM project. The missile's onboard radio-frequency seeker has been designed in India. It will have an active homing range of 15 km. The missile has a pre-fragmented warhead & is fitted with a proximity fuze. A radar fuze already exists for the Astra, but the DRDO is currently working on a new laser fuze. The integration of Astra with Su-30MKI has been started[20]
Specifications
- First test: May 9, 2003
- Total length: 11.7 ft (3570 mm)
- Diameter: 7 in (178 mm )
- Wingspan: 10 in (254 mm)
- Weight: 154 kg (339 lb)
- < 250 kg (550 lb) including launcher
- Warhead :15 kg (33 lb) HE fragmentation directional warhead
- Fuze: Radar proximity fuze
- Propulsion: solid fuel
- Maximum speed: Mach 4 + (03/07 test - Mach 2+)
- Maximum effective range: 80 km head on, 15 km tail chase, over 100 km (eventually)
- Maximum altitude: 20 km (66,000 ft)
- Minimum altitude: sea level
- Missile g load: 40 g (400 m/s²)
- Target g load: 9 g (90 m/s²)
- Guidance mode: Inertial + mid-course update & terminal active radar (15 km)
- Launch aircraft speed: Mach 0.6 to 2.2
Data is based on handouts and discussion at DRDO stall AERO INDIA 2003 & 05. [21]
Surya Missile System
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Surya (meaning The Sun in Sanskrit and Many Indian Languages) is the codename for the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile that India is reported to be developing.[22] The DRDO is believed to have begun the project in 1994. Officials of the Indian government have repeatedly denied the existence of the project.
According to news reports, the Surya-1 is an intercontinental-range, surface-based, solid and liquid propellant ballistic missile.
Surya is the most ambitious project in India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The Prithvi and Agni have completed development, as have the Trishul, the Akash and the Nag. India is also reported to be developing the Sagarika, a submarine-launched cruise missile with a range of about 1000 km.
The Surya-1 and -2 will be classified as strategic weapons[citation needed], extending the Indian nuclear deterrent force to targets around the world[citation needed]. India currently is limited by the range of the Agni-3 missile. The development of a true ICBM would make strikes against almost any strategic target around the world possible[citation needed] and reduce India’s relative weakness. This would develop a credible global deterrent for India[citation needed].
The Surya-1 will have an expected range of 10,000 km[citation needed]. It reportedly has a length of 40 m and a launch weight of 80,000 kg (some reports indicate as much as 275,000 kg [23]). As the missile has yet to be developed, the payload and warhead are as yet unknown. It is believed to be a three-stage design, with the first two stages using solid propellants and the third-stage using liquid. [23]
The Surya-2 is a longer-ranged variant of the Surya-1. It has a reported range of 20,000 km.[citation needed]
The first test flight is expected in 2008[citation needed], and it is expected to be operationally ready by 2015[citation needed].
Reported specifications
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- Class: ICBM
- Basing: Surface based and sometimes also used under water in critical conditions
- Length: 40.00 m
- Diameter: 2.8 m
- Launch Weight: 80,000 kg
- Propulsion: First/second stage solid, third liquid
- Warhead Capabilities: 2-3 nuclear warheads of 250 kilotons each
- Status: Development / Developed to be tested
- In Service: 2015
- Range:20,000 km Surya-2
Other developments
The expertise and technology developed through the IGMDP is also used in the new Anti ballistic missile called the Exoatmospheric interceptor system which successfully intercepted a Prithvi-II ballistic missile.[24] India became the fourth nation in the world to acquire such a capability and the third nation to develop it through indigenous effort.[25] Apart from that, India is said to be in the intermediate stages of developing a new cruise missile, Nirbhay (dauntless in English). The subsonic Nirbhay is said to be 6 m in length with a 520 mm diameter, weigh 1,000 kg and have a 1,000 km range with a speed of 0.7 mach. The technology demonstrator flight is planned for end-2009.[26]
Notes
- ^ "APJ". Vigyan Prasar. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
- ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/History.html#1 Bharat-Rakshak: Indian Rocketry History
- ^ of Indian Missiles, 1947-1970 accessed 18 October 2006.
- ^ Indian Missile Facilities - DRDL History accessed 18 October 2006.
- ^ BrahMos Website accessed 18 October 2006.
- ^ Agni-III was a partial success: Pranab
- ^ Agni missile to be tested next year: DRDO
- ^ Agni-III Launch Was A Perfect Mission:DRDO Chief
- ^ Missile programmes disappoint scientists
- ^ Centre for Non Proliferation Studies Archive accessed 18 October 2006.
- ^ Article in The Tribune, dated 7 September 1998, accessed 18 October 2006.
- ^ The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists dated September/October 2005, accessed 18 October 2006.
- ^ Prithvi 'user trial' undertaken
- ^ The Hindu article dated 11 December 2005, accessed 18 October 2006.
- ^ Global Security.Org article accessed 18 October 2006.
- ^ IAF initiates process for inducting Akash and Trishul SAM’s
- ^ Air Force Impressed With Akash Surface To Air Missiles Performance
- ^ Trishul Surface To Air Missile Not A Failure Says Government
- ^ "Astra missile test fired from Chandipur". The Hindu. Retrieved 2007-03-25.
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/08/stories/2007110855710700.htm Astra missile to be fitted on Su-30MKI
- ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Astra.html
- ^ Surya ICBM, accessed June 14, 2007
- ^ a b An FAQ of the Surya ICBM Project at india-defense.com, accessed June 14, 2007
- ^ India fired new interceptor missile in air defence test
- ^ India develops new anti-missile system
- ^ newsPost India - Nirbhay, India's New Missile On The Cards
External links
- Akash SAM Official website
- Bharat Rakshak
- Bharat Rakshak's page on Trishul
- Trishul Test Fired
- Nag Missile
- Missile Chronology 2004-present
- Next objective: a 5,000-km Agni]
- Astra missile to be fitted on Su-30MKI