Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 30 June 2022

[Cain Marko]

I'd agree with Avinandan. We have done significant progress over the last decade, but prior to that, the IAF had a jock-mentality and SAMs were treated as 2nd class citizens. Air-defense meant scrambling Mig-21s

Akash was inducted after laborious trials. Barak-8 got in via bribes. S-400 happened due to Modi sarkar

The IAF is still dragging its heels on Akash-NG & I suspect its because its a direct competitor to Barak-8 and hence the lobby is against it

BMD-1 has come and gone & so has BMD-2, but they remain tech-demonstrators and not mass deployed systems. As always, we will wait for the mythical BMD-3 which can defeat hypersonics

Plus we've had doctrinal blindness. Examples:

a) BMDs must defend only prominent cities (as opposed to defending even airbases, forward-deployed ammunition storage etc)
b) Ballistic Missiles are under the purview of the SFC, which meant there was no Rocket Force. There was no role for Pralay as a conventional airport-buster, tasked under the IA or IAF

We still have ways to go. I am glad the PM spoke up. Hope this results in his direct supervision and orders for Akash-NG, QRSAM, Kusha-series, BMDs etc

I had said this years ago that India purchase of s400 would be a game changer. It was borne out in op sindoor. Perhaps Much more so that the raffle.

It is truly unfortunate that the fgfa did not materialize thanks to geopolitical exigencies, and the Iafs need to reduce Russian inventory. Today it is ahead of the raffle in every parameter and in the foreseeable future the gap will only widen..

[drnayar]

Let's not forget the Russian honey pot and IAF officer saga where India spent some millions for FGFA "Collaboration" ..money that wasn't recovered!

Funny thing memory is

[uddu]

DRDO has successfully carried out flight-trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3

[uddu]

https://x.com/MeghUpdates/status/1958165574812406006
@MeghUpdates
HUGE BREAKING
India successfully test-fires 'Agni-5' Intermediate Range BALLISTIC MISSILE from Chandipur, Odisha



Video
https://x.com/BhartiyNiveshak/status/19 ... 9208000722
@BhartiyNiveshak
And India tests Agni V with range of 5000 km, a ballistic missile that can deliver nuclear weapons

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage ... ID=2158574
Successful test-firing of ‘Agni 5’ Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile
Posted On: 20 AUG 2025 7:13PM by PIB Delhi
Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 20, 2025. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. It was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.

So from an ICBM nation we became an IRBM nation so soon.

[DeepakSharma]

Could it be a K-5 test under the guise of Agni-5? INS Aridhaman is finishing up sea trials at the moment..

[VinodTK]

^^^



India Test Fires Agni-5, Joins Select Group of Nations Able to Fire Multiple Warheads | WION News

• MIRV capable
  Bunker buster

[S_Madhukar]

So did the Santa Barbara get good shots because we won’t be shown the petals landing

[Cain Marko]

Let's not forget the Russian honey pot and IAF officer saga where India spent some millions for FGFA "Collaboration" ..money that wasn't recovered!

Funny thing memory is

Yeah and what about the scorpene leak eh? No country is on your side completely, some are more so than others that's all. And how do you know the money was not recovered? Sjha often points out that there's much more to the Indo Russian deals than meets the eye.

In any case, I'll take that over this current situation where the backbone of the iaf is in danger of becoming spineless.

[williams]

So from an ICBM nation we became an IRBM nation so soon.

The maya continues.

[williams]

So did the Santa Barbara get good shots because we won’t be shown the petals landing

Actually petals will be landing south of BIOT (Diego Garcia). 21st Operations Group's latest RADAR would have seen how SDRE IRBM performed

[drnayar]

I think this agni version is different in the sense it can carry 10 to 12 MIRVs ?.. the range is whatever you want ! ..also suspect capability to circumvent air defences.. this is want the US forward deployed zumwalt warship was trying to discern ..

[uddu]

India’s Agni-5 missile to gain 7,500 kg warhead for deep underground strikes
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 56741.html
30 June 2025

Two variants under development. The report further said that two new variants of the Agni-5 missiles are under development. The first variant would offer an airburst warhead for above-ground targets, while the latter would be a deep-penetrating missile designed to burrow into hardened subterranean infrastructure.

[nash]

Just a thought on A-5 in conventional role with ~8 ton of payload and range of 2500+ KM.

How much viable it is to make stage 1 of missile based on methlox engine and recoverable-reusable?

[uddu]

https://x.com/DefProdnIndia/status/1958383332225335735
@DefProdnIndia
Helina/Dhruvastra – India’s precision strike power from the skies.
Engineered for accuracy, built for dominance.
Developed by #DRDO and manufactured by #BDL, it stands as a true symbol of #AatmanirbharDefence.

[Prem Kumar]

Agni-5 bunker-buster is DDM'itis

Our SFC is so conservative that we didn't envision of a conventional rocket force (under the IA/IAF command) until recently. Pralay orders are not coming nearly fast enough. I am sure some babus & think-tanks are spending reams of paper arguing pros & cons

Agni-5 is nuclear deterrent. Our SFC will *never* agree to a conventional variant whose launch can be mistaken for a first-strike

[Prem Kumar]

Nice infographic by DefProdnIndia - but where are the bloody orders of Helina/Dhruvastra? I wouldn't be surprised if Prachands are inducted without ATGMs

[ShauryaT]

I think this agni version is different in the sense it can carry 10 to 12 MIRVs ?.. the range is whatever you want ! ..also suspect capability to circumvent air defences.. this is want the US forward deployed zumwalt warship was trying to discern ..

10-12 warheads would be a substantial increase of payload. Unlikely for the Agni V @ circa 1500KG payload. It seems this test is getting ready for production or maybe one more. For 10-12, it would have to be a new design. Hopefully K-6 will get us there.

[vera_k]

I suspect that's why they derated it to IRBM. Heavier payload due to increase in the number of warheads.

[gakakkad]

It was flown at angle of 75% . You can actually make out the steep angle from some of the vids .the max range (at pi/4) is probably close to 10k.

[williams]

The fact that it is recategorized as IRBM means there is a thinking of using it in conventional role. However if we are interested in bunker buster role against the Pakis we can use some of the shorter range missiles. No need to use Agni for it.

[gakakkad]

Most likely hgv or something. Also the testing was down by forces and not by drdo

[Prem Kumar]

Good news! DRDO has tested an integrated air defense system: QRSAM, V-SHORADS & DEW - to simultaneously shoot down different kinds of threats

[Rakesh]

VIDEO: https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1959469910784164075 ---> Maiden flight tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) was successfully conducted on 23 August 2025 at around 1230 Hrs off the coast of Odisha. IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising of all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles and a high power laser based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).

[uddu]

Hitting A Bullet With A Bullet: India's Sudarshan Chakra Sky Shield

In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Defence, NDTV's Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som dive into Project Sudarshan Chakra—India’s ambitious new air and missile defense initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech. Find out how this multi-layered shield aims to safeguard cities and vital assets using advanced radars, interceptors, and emerging technologies. Shiv and Vishnu decode the strategy, compare it with global systems like Iron Dome, and explain what makes Sudarshan Chakra a game-changer in national security.

[Rakesh]

VIDEO: https://x.com/Kuntal__biswas/status/1960338942470893707 ---> RUDRAM Missile Series – India’s SEAD Game-Changer. From Rudram-1 to the upcoming Rudram-3, these missiles are designed to silence enemy radars, air-defence & communications hubs before they even see us coming.

• Rudram-1: Anti-Radiation missile, already test-fired.
• Rudram-2: Longer range, higher speed, under trials.
• Rudram-3: Dual-seeker, heavy punch, trials underway on Su-30MKI.

100% #MakeInIndia, giving IAF a strategic first-strike edge & strong export potential. Here’s my brand-new 3D animation on the Rudram series.

[Prem Kumar]

But we will import only Rampage under emergency procurement, sir!

Then we will let DRDO go on a wild-goose chase for air-launched Pinaka, which will go through 5 years of endless trials for a token 100 order, if at all

Yesterday, IAF Chief gave interview where he said new weapons must be developed for Tejas. Well, there are several already: Rudram, SAAW, G-series ityadi

Orders needed, not talk

[Rakesh]

India to begin testing new long-range interceptor missiles for defence shield next year
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 536547.cms
27 August 2025

[uddu]

D4 System: दुश्मन के ड्रोन को ट्रैक और नष्ट करने में माहिर | India TV | D4 System Indian Army

In the coming time, D4 System will be more lethal, expert in detecting and neutralizing enemy drones.

[Rakesh]

In the coming time, D4 System will be more lethal, expert in detecting and neutralizing enemy drones.

Please ensure that you follow guidelines when posting youtube videos;

1) Place the title of the video and increase the font size to large. Please also bold and underline the title.

2) Please put a description of the video being posted.

I am always editing your posts to the above format. Can you please edit your post to check the formatting and follow the above?

[uddu]

In the coming time, D4 System will be more lethal, expert in detecting and neutralizing enemy drones.

Please ensure that you follow guidelines when posting youtube videos;

1) Place the title of the video and increase the font size to large. Please also bold and underline the title.

2) Please put a description of the video being posted.

I am always editing your posts to the above format. Can you please edit your post to check the formatting and follow the above?

Sure. Is there a Draft or page on Posting guidelines that need to be followed for video and other content? You could Pin such a thread. Also one thing is that some video don't come with description.

[Prem Kumar]

India to begin testing new long-range interceptor missiles for defence shield next year
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 536547.cms

Nice article. A couple of things stand out & hopefully are addressed:

1) Kusha should not be a reason to not induct Akash-NG. There is already a Israel lobby that is preventing its induction, causing FUD in its range etc. No such FUD exists for QRSAM because it doesn't threaten any Israeli export
2) Just like we integrated a myriad of systems under IACCS, Akashteer etc, we must integrate QRSAM, Akash-NG as & when they are inducted
3) Like DRDO demonstrated, mini-IADS (VSHORADS, QRSAM, DEW) must be rolled out as we go. It need not be all singing & dancing. It will give us valuable real-life experience of deployment challenges and fixes
4) The report talks about Kusha being inducted starting 2030, while M1 interceptor will be ready in 2026 itself. Why wait? Induct M1 right away in 2026, network it and iron out issues. Induct M2 and M3 as they clear trials. Its a frozen-mindset to wait for ALL interceptors to be ready before ANY of them will be inducted. Once all pieces are in place, additional full-scale orders can be placed