List of Missiles of India: Types, Ranges, and Key Facts for Exams

India’s missile development program reflects the nation’s technological advancement and strategic defence capabilities. Spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Missiles of India are designed to meet a broad range of objectives — from nuclear deterrence to precision targeting, both on land and at sea.

India’s missile systems include a wide array of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and anti-aircraft defence systems, ensuring preparedness against threats from both China and Pakistan. The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), launched in 1983, laid the foundation for this impressive arsenal.

What is a Missile?

In military terminology, a missile (or guided missile) is a self-propelled weapon system equipped with a guidance mechanism to hit specific targets with high accuracy. Missiles can be launched from land, air, sea, or underwater platforms, and they may carry conventional or nuclear warheads depending on the mission.

Types of Missiles in India

India categorises its missile arsenal based on several factors including launch platform, trajectory, range, speed, guidance system, and warhead type.

Based on the Launch Platform

• Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM)
• Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM)
• Air-to-Air Missiles (AAM)
• Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASM)
• Sea-to-Sea Missiles
• Sea-to-Surface Missiles
• Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM)
• Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM)

Based on Trajectory

• Ballistic Missiles
• Cruise Missiles

Based on Range

• Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM)
• Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBM)
• Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM)
• Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM)
• Tactical Missiles

Based on Speed

• Subsonic Missiles
• Supersonic Missiles
• Hypersonic Missiles

Based on Guidance System

• Inertial Navigation
• Active Radar Homing
• Infrared Homing
• Laser Guidance
• GPS/NavIC based Guidance

Based on Warhead Type

• Conventional (high-explosive)
• Strategic (nuclear-capable)

List of Major Indian Missiles by Type

Air-to-Air Missiles

Missile Name	Type	Range
MICA	Short to Medium Range	500 m – 80 km
Astra	Beyond Visual Range	80 – 110 km
Novator K-100	Medium Range	300 – 400 km

Surface-to-Air Missiles

Missile Name	Type	Range
Trishul	Short Range	9 km
Akash	Medium Range	30 – 35 km
Barak 8	Long Range (with Israel)	100 km
QRSAM	Short Range	–
VL-SRSAM	Short Range (Vertical Launch)	–
SAMAR	Short/Medium Range	–
PAD	Exo-atmospheric Interceptor	Altitude: 80 km
AAD / Ashwin	Endo-atmospheric Interceptor	Altitude: 120 km
PDV	Exo-atmospheric Interceptor	Altitude: 30 km

Surface-to-Surface Missiles (Ballistic Missiles)

Missile Name	Type	Range
Agni-I	Short-Range Ballistic Missile	700 – 1250 km
Agni-II	Medium-Range Ballistic Missile	2000 – 3000 km
Agni-III	Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile	3500 – 5000 km
Agni-IV	Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile	3000 – 4000 km
Agni-V	Intercontinental Ballistic Missile	5000 – 8000 km
Agni-P (Prime)	Medium-Range Ballistic Missile	1000 – 2000 km
Agni-VI	ICBM (under development)	Up to 16,000 km
Prithvi Series (I, II, III)	Short-Range	150 – 600 km
Dhanush	Naval Version of Prithvi	350 – 600 km
Shaurya	Medium Range	750 – 1900 km
Prahaar	Tactical SRBM	150 km
Pralay	Tactical SRBM	150 – 500 km

Cruise Missiles

Missile Name	Type	Range
BrahMos	Supersonic Cruise Missile	290 – 500 km
BrahMos-II	Hypersonic (under development)	300 km
Nirbhay	Subsonic Cruise Missile	1000 – 1500 km
ITCM	Under Development	–

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM)

Missile Name	Type	Range
Ashwin	Ballistic Missile	150 – 200 km
Sagarika (K-15)	Short-Range SLBM	700 – 1900 km
K-4	Medium Range	3500 – 5000 km
K-5	Intermediate Range	5000 – 6000 km

Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM)

Missile Name	Type	Range
Amogha	Short Range	2.8 km
Nag	Fire-and-Forget	4 – 10 km
Helina / Dhruvastra	Helicopter-Launched Nag	7 – 10 km
MPATGM	Man-Portable ATGM	Short Range

Missiles of India: Key Facts for Exams

• The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) was launched in 1983 to develop missiles such as Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, and Nag.
• Tessy Thomas, known as the Missile Woman of India, was the former Project Director of Agni-IV and currently serves as Director General, Aeronautical Systems, DRDO.
• Prithvi was India’s first indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile, using liquid fuel technology.
• BrahMos is a joint venture between India and Russia, known for being the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
• Agni-V marks India’s entry into the league of ICBM-capable nations, enhancing its strategic deterrence.