🛡️ Science & Technology — Indian Defence Programme
1. DRDO
DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION
- Established in 1958
- Works under Department of Defence Research and Development, Ministry of Defence
- Vision: Make India prosperous with world-class S&T base
- Mission: Design, develop and produce state-of-the-art sensors, weapons, systems
- Chief of DRDO is Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister
- First head: Dr D S Kothari
MAJOR LABORATORIES
- ADE: Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru
- ADRDE: Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra
- CAIR: Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Bengaluru
- DRDL: Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad
- DRDE: Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior
- DARE: Defence Avionics Research Establishment, Bengaluru
2. Missile Systems
TYPES OF MISSILES
- Surface-to-Surface (SSM): Ground-to-ground missiles
- Surface-to-Air (SAM): Ground-to-air missiles
- Ballistic Missile: High trajectory; motor burns out partway
- Cruise Missile: Lower trajectory; motor burns entire flight
IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme)
- Born in 1983 under Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
- Projects: Prithvi (SSM), Trishul (SAM), Akash (SAM), Nag (Anti-tank), Agni (Technology demonstrator)
- Interim Test Range at Balasore, Odisha for missile testing
PRITHVI SERIES
| Version | Range | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Prithvi I | 150 km | 1000 kg |
| Prithvi II | 250 km | 500 kg |
| Prithvi III | 350 km | 500 kg |
AGNI SERIES
| Missile | Range | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Agni-I | 700-1250 km | 1000 kg |
| Agni-II | 2000-3000 km | 750-1000 kg |
| Agni-III | >3000 km | 1.5 tonnes |
| Agni-IV | 2500-4000 km | ~1 tonne |
| Agni-V | 5000-5500 km (ICBM) | 1500 kg |
| Agni-VI | 8000-10000 km (In development) | MIRV warheads |
OTHER IMPORTANT MISSILES
- Akash: Medium range SAM; supersonic (Mach 2.5); range 30 km; supported by Rajendra radar
- Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile; fire-and-forget; range 3-7 km
- BrahMos: Supersonic cruise missile (Mach 2.5-3); range 290 km; world's fastest cruise missile
- Nirbhay: Long-range subsonic stealth cruise missile
- Prahaar: Short range tactical ballistic missile; range 150 km
- Shaurya: Hypersonic surface-to-surface tactical missile; range 600 km
- Dhanush: Naval variant of Prithvi II; range 350 km
- Sagarika/K-15: Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM); range 700 km
- Pranash: 200 km strike range ballistic missile (under development)
- MTCR: Missile Technology Control Regime — India joined in October 2016
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE (BMD)
- Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)/Pradyumna: Exo-atmospheric interception (80 km altitude)
- Advanced Air Defence (AAD): Endo-atmospheric interception (30 km altitude)
3. Radar Systems
INDIAN RADARS
- Rajendra Radar: Multi-functional radar for Akash SAM system
- INDRA: 2D surveillance radar; INDRA I (low level), INDRA II (ground controlled interception)
- Swordfish Radar: Long range tracking radar for BMD
- Swathi WLR: Weapon Locating Radar; mobile artillery locating radar
- Aparna: Ship detection and warning system; commissioned in Indian Navy
- Rohini: 3-D radar for Akash SAM; tracks 150 targets
- AWACS (Netra): Airborne Warning and Control System
4. Indian Navy
MAJOR NAVAL SHIPS
- INS Vikramaditya: Modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier (2013)
- INS Vikrant: First indigenously built aircraft carrier (Cochin Shipyard)
- INS Kolkata: Lead ship of Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers (2014)
- INS Kamorta: First indigenous stealth anti-submarine warfare corvette (2014)
- INS Astradharini: Indigenously designed torpedo launch and recovery vessel (2015)
- INS Nilgiri: First of seven stealth frigates under Project 17 Alfa
- INS Kadmatt: Anti-Submarine Warfare corvette (Project 28)
- Varunastra: Indigenous heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo (2016)
SUBMARINES
- Arihant Class: Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines; armed with K-15 Sagarika SLBM
- INS Chakra (K-152 Nerpa): Akula II class nuclear attack submarine (leased from Russia)
- Scorpene Class (Project 75): Diesel-electric attack submarines; INS Kalvari (2017), INS Khanderi, INS Karanj
- Sindhughosh Class: Indian variants of Kilo-class submarines
- Shishumar Class: Diesel-electric submarines
5. Tanks and Armoured Vehicles
MAIN BATTLE TANKS
- Arjun Tank: 3rd generation MBT; speed 77 km/h; Kanchan armour
- Arjun Mark II: Upgraded version with night vision, advanced air defence gun
- T-90 ST (Bhishma): Russian-origin MBT; French thermal sights
- BMP-2 Sarath: Indian license-produced infantry combat vehicle
ARTILLERY & OTHER VEHICLES
- Pinaka: Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher; range 40-75 km
- Muntra: Unmanned armoured vehicle; variants: Muntra S (Surveillance), Muntra M (Mine Cleaning), Muntra N (Nuclear/Chemical)
- Dhanush Artillery Gun: Indigenous 155mm, 45-calibre towed gun; range 36-38 km
- M777 Ultra Light Howitzer: 155mm, 39-calibre; titanium and aluminium alloy; range 2.4-30 km
- K9-Vajra-T: 155mm, 52-calibre self-propelled gun; range 40 km
6. Aircraft and Helicopters
INDIAN AIRCRAFT
- LCA Tejas: Light Combat Aircraft; tailless delta-wing; Tejas Mark II will be 4.5 generation
- Su-30 MKI: Air superiority fighter; joint India-Russia development
- MiG-29: Jet fighter; first international customer was India (1985)
- Mirage-2000 (Vajra): French multirole fighter
- Dassault Rafale: French twin-engine multirole fighter (36 acquired)
- Advanced Jet Trainer (Hawk Mk 132): British single-engine trainer
- Kiran Mk II: Indian two-seat basic jet trainer
HELICOPTERS
- Dhruv: Indigenously developed helicopter (HAL); designed with German assistance
- Rudra: Armed version of Dhruv; equipped with antitank missiles, rocket pods
- AH-64E Apache Guardian: Multi-role helicopter; acquired from USA
UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
- Lakshya: Remotely piloted high-speed target drone; range 150 km
- Nishant: UAV for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance; range 160 km
- Rustom: Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV; range 350 km
- AURA: Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft; self-defending high-speed reconnaissance UAV
STRATEGIC SYSTEMS
- S-400 Triumf: Russian long-range air defence system; tracks targets 600 km away
- THAAD: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (US system); hit-to-kill approach
Summary: Indian Defence Programme at a Glance
| Topic | Key Point |
|---|---|
| DRDO | Established 1958 |
| IGMDP | 1983; Dr APJ Abdul Kalam |
| Agni-V | ICBM; 5000-5500 km |
| BrahMos | World's fastest cruise missile |
| INS Vikrant | First indigenous aircraft carrier |
| Arihant | Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine |
| LCA Tejas | Indigenous light combat aircraft |
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR UPSC
- DRDO: Established 1958; first head Dr D S Kothari
- IGMDP: 1983; Dr APJ Abdul Kalam; Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag, Agni
- Agni-V: ICBM (5000-5500 km); Agni-VI (8000-10000 km) under development
- BrahMos: World's fastest cruise missile (Mach 2.5-3)
- INS Vikrant: First indigenously built aircraft carrier
- Arihant: Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
- LCA Tejas: Indigenous light combat aircraft; Tejas Mark II (4.5 generation)
- MTCR: India joined October 2016
- S-400: Russian air defence system
- THAAD: US anti-ballistic missile system
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Science & Technology — Indian Defence Programme)
Q1. DRDO was established in which year?
Correct Answer: C. DRDO was established in 1958.
Q2. Who conceived the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme?
Correct Answer: B. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam conceived and led the IGMDP in 1983.
Q3. What is the range of Agni-V missile?
Correct Answer: C. Agni-V is an ICBM with a range of 5000-5500 km.
Q4. Which missile is known as the world's fastest cruise missile?
Correct Answer: B. BrahMos is the world's fastest cruise missile with speeds of Mach 2.5-3.
Q5. INS Vikrant is India's:
Correct Answer: B. INS Vikrant is the first indigenously built aircraft carrier by Cochin Shipyard.
Q6. Which submarine class is nuclear-powered in Indian Navy?
Correct Answer: C. Arihant class submarines are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.
Q7. What is the range of Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher?
Correct Answer: C. Pinaka has two versions with maximum range of 40 km and 75 km respectively.
Q8. India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in:
Correct Answer: C. India joined MTCR in October 2016.
Q9. Which helicopter is known as the armed version of HAL Dhruv?
Correct Answer: B. Rudra is the armed version of HAL Dhruv helicopter.
Q10. The Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system consists of:
Correct Answer: A. BMD consists of Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for exo-atmospheric and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for endo-atmospheric interception.