(Online Course) GS Concepts : Science and technology in India - Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme

Subject : Science and technology in India
Chapter : Defence Research

Topic: Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

Question : Give a Brief description of India’s Missile development programme.

Answer : India's Missile development programme called Integrated Guided-Misslle Development Programme (IGMDP) was launched in 1983. It was envisaged as

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ambitions plan to take up simultaneously the design and development of five missiles which would provide the nation a Comprehensive Missile-based Umbrella within 10 years. India desired comprehensive and integrated capabilities in missile systems because on one hand they have advantage of delivering higher payload (warheads) beyond the range of combat aircrafts, on other hand they are one-way devices and there are no dangers or costs associated with loss of a combat aircrafts. Moreover with their high speed, their interruption is also more difficult than combat aircrafts.

The programme has following missile systems to be designed, developed and operationalised,

  • Tactical, short range surface to surface (SSM) Missile - Prithvi.

  • Intermediate range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) - Agni

  • Short range Surface-to-Air (SAM) Missile - Trishul

  • Medium range SAM - Akash

  • Anti-Tank Guided Missile - NAG

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