The recent successful trial of the nuclear-capable Shaurya missile has brought India’s missile technology to the forefront of global news. This testing came soon after the Brahmos land attack cruise missile was trialed, consolidating India’s position in cutting-edge defense technology.
The Shaurya Missile: Salient Features
The Shaurya missile is a terrestrial variant of the short-range Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) K-15 Sagarika. With a minimum range of 750 kilometers, it can carry payloads between 200 kg to 1000 kg, making it a formidable surface-to-surface tactical missile.
It belongs to the K missile family, named in honor of the late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and can be launched from the Arihant class of nuclear submarines. Like most modern missiles, Shaurya has a canister-based system that facilitates storage and operation from specially designed compartments. Its high maneuverability makes it less susceptible to anti-ballistic missile defence systems.
Deeper Dive into the K Family of Missiles
The K family of missiles are primarily Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs), developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Initiated in the late 1990s, their development marked a significant stride towards completing India’s nuclear triad – the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea and air assets.
Due to the necessity of launching these missiles from submarines, they are lighter, smaller and stealthier than the Agni series of missiles, which are land-based medium and intercontinental-range nuclear capable ballistic missiles. The K-4 missiles have been tested multiple times successfully by India and possess a range of 3500 km. Future developments include the K-5 and K-6 missiles with ranges of 5000 and 6000 km respectively.
Strategic Importance of SLBMs
The tactical capability of SLMBs is inextricably linked with nuclear deterrence, a cornerstone of India’s ‘no first use’ policy. Capable of surviving a preliminary strike, these submarines can also retaliate with a counter-strike, thereby ensuring Credible Nuclear Deterrence. Given India’s relationship with neighboring countries like China and Pakistan, developing these capabilities is of utmost strategic importance.
Understanding Ballistic Missiles
A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled, self-guided strategic weapons system that follows a parabolic path to deliver a payload from the launch site to a predestined fixed target. Ballistic missiles can carry conventional high explosives and chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions.
India’s Ballistic Missile Defence System
A Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system acts as a shield against ballistic missile attacks. Initiated after the Kargil war in 1999, India’s BMD development aimed to strengthen the defence against potential nuclear attacks from Pakistan. The goal is to deploy a functional ‘iron dome’ ballistic missile defence (BMD), integrating both low-altitude and high-altitude interceptor missiles. DRDO, in collaboration with public and private firms such as BEL, Astra Microwave, L&T, etc., primarily develops India’s BMD.
Ballistic missiles of India include Agni, K-4 (SLBM), Prahaar, Dhanush, Prithvi, and Trishul.