Types of Missiles in India

Missiles in India can be classified based on Trajectory, Speed, Launch Mode, Strategic Importance, Tactical Importance, Propulsion and Guidance Systems.

I. Types of Missiles in India Based on Trajectory

Missiles are classified based on Trajectory. They are

1. Ballistic Missile

India is the fourth country after the United States, Russia, and Israel to successfully develop a ballistic missile system. Agni, Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Sagarika, K.5, and Pralay are examples of ballistic missiles manufactured by India.

Characteristics of Ballistic Missiles

◆ Can be controlled for a certain time even after launch.

◆ Lands on a specific target depending on gravity.

◆ Low accuracy.

◆ Travels on a parabolic path.

◆ Capable of flying at very high altitudes.

◆ Long range (up to 12000 km).

◆ Easily tracked.

2. Cruise Missile

A cruise missile is a guided missile that uses technology to destroy land or sea targets. It remains in the atmosphere, self-navigates, and travels at a nearly constant speed for the majority of its flight path. Cruise missiles are designed to carry a very small payload over long distances with high accuracy. Modern cruise missiles are capable of traveling at high subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic speeds. They are also capable of flying at very low altitudes and are non-ballistic. In addition to being launched from land, cruise missiles can be launched from submarines, ships, and aircraft. Examples of Indian-developed cruise missiles include the Brahmos and Nirbhay.

Characteristics of a cruise missile

◆ Self-navigates.

◆ No fixed trajectory to travel.

◆ Carries a very small payload.

◆ Travels at low altitudes.

◆ Difficult to track.

3. Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS)

It is a warhead missile launching system that uses a low Earth orbit towards its target destination. It de-orbits through a retrograde engine burn, just before reaching the target.

II. Types of Missiles in India Based on Speed

Missiles are classified based on their speed with respect to that of sound, expressed as Mach. They are

1. Subsonic missile

Missiles that travel slower than sound are known as Subsonic missile.

Example : Prithvi Missile

2. Supersonic missile

Missiles that travel faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1) but less than Mach 5 are called Supersonic missile.

Example : BrahMos Missiles

3. Hypersonic missile

Missiles that travel at least five times faster than the speed of sound (over Mach 5) are called Hypersonic missile.

Example : Shaurya/Sagarika Missiles (Max speed – 7.5 Mach)

III. Types of Missiles in India Based on the Launch Mode

1. Surface-to-Surface

Can Launched from land to strike land. Example - Prithvi, Agni, and BrahMos

2. Surface-to-Air

Can Launched from land to strike aerial threats. Example - Akash, MRSAM

3. Air-to-Surface

Can Launched from aircraft to strike land. Example - Helina anti-tank missile fired from Rudra helicopter

4. Air-to-Air

Can Launched from aircraft to strike aerial threats. Example - Astra BVR fired from Tejas aircraft 

5. Ship-to-Ship

Can Launch Naval anti-ship missiles from warships/submarines. Example - BrahMos fired from ships

6. Ship-to-Air

Can Launch Naval surface-to-air missiles for fleet air defence. Example - Barak-8 LR-SAM deployed on ships

7. Submarine-launched

Can Launch from submerged submarines. Example - K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missile

8. Shoulder-fired

Man-portable missiles launched from launchers carried by infantry. Example - FIM-92 Stinger and Igla shoulder-fired SAMs

IV. Types of Missiles in India Based on the Strategic Importance

In India, these missiles are part of the nuclear triad.

1. Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

These missiles are long-range missiles that are capable of delivering nuclear warheads across continents. Example - Agni V

2. Sub-surface ballistic nuclear (SSBN)

A nuclear-powered submarine carrying and launching ballistic missiles armed with nuclear weapons. Example - K-15 Sagarika

V. Types of Missiles in India Based on Tactical Importance

Tactical missiles are used in the battlefield and frontline combat situations to hit and destroy enemy assets and capabilities. India has an array of tactical missiles.

1. Prithvi Missiles - These are short range surface to surface ballistic missiles.

2. BrahMos Missiles - BrahMos is fastest supersonic missile.

VI. Types of Missiles in India Based on Propulsion

Missiles utilise different types of propulsion. They are,

1. Solid Propulsion - It uses solid propellants. Example: Prithvi, Brahmos.

2. Liquid Propulsion - It uses liquid fuels and oxidisers. Example: Agni series, Akash.

3. Hybrid Propulsion - It uses a combination of solid and liquid propellants. Example: Brahmos hypersonic cruise missile

4. Cryogenic - It uses liquid oxygen and hydrogen. Example: Agni-V ICBM

5. Ramjet/Scramjet - Air-breathing engines are employed in hypersonic ballistic and cruise missiles. Example: India’s HGV, Brahmos-II

VII. Types of Missiles in India Based on Guidance Systems

Missiles utilise different types of guidance technologies to accurately reach targets. They are,

1. Command Guidance - Using radio or wire links, external commands direct missiles. Example: Nag anti-tank missile.

2. Inertial Guidance - Autonomous course correction is provided by motion sensors and onboard computers. Example: Agni ballistic missiles.

3. Terrain Mapping - This verifies accuracy by comparing radar altimeter data with onboard terrain maps. Example: Prithvi missiles.

4. Laser Guidance - It points in the direction of a target that is lit by a laser designator. Example: Helina anti-tank missile

5. Radar/GPS - This uses satellite navigation to update position and compares it with targeting information. Example: Brahmos cruise missile.