Important Missiles of India List With Range – Prithvi, Agni, Nirbhay, Brahmos, Astra, Shaurya and more

List of Indian Missiles with range: Every country develops missiles in order to show its strength and to be able to protect it from enemies. India too has developed many short and long range missiles such as Prithvi, Agni, Brahmos, Nirbhay, Nag, Shaurya, Sagarika, Dhanush etc. Depending on the capacities and attacking powers these important Indian missiles can be divided into various types such as air to air, Surface to air, Defence missiles, Cruise missiles, Submarine Ballistic missiles, Anti Tank and surface to surface missiles. India is continuously developing high tech missiles under each of above mentioned category. Here we are discussing all these Indian Missiles GK in details.

Important Missiles India list with range: Indian Missiles general knowledge is one of the hottest topics under GK section of every competitive exam. The importance of list of Indian missiles and defence current affairs is even more when you go to attempt for any defence related competitive exam. So you need to have complete information on important missiles of India in order to answer all related questions. This is what this section explains detail. Don’t forget to revise your study after the completion of reading through the list presented in tabular form:

List of Indian missiles with Range

Based on attacking, missiles of India can be classified into following types:

List of Indian Missiles with range

  • Surface-to-surface missiles
  • Surface-To-Air Missiles
  • Air-to-air missiles
  • Defence Missile
  • Cruise Missiles
  • Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles
  • Anti-Tank Missile

Above were the types under which India has developed the missiles with different ranges. Now let us take a look at the names of Indian missiles that India has developed under each one of the above category.

List of Indian Missiles with range: Surface to surface

surface-to-surface missile (SSM) or ground-to-ground missile (GGM) is designed for launching from ground or sea from ship. They are used to hit a ground target or target in sea. These can be fired from devices which may be mounted on vehicles or held by a soldier. They are mostly powered by rocket engine or sometimes fired by an explosive charge. Below is the Surface to Surface Indian missiles developed so far:

Agni-I – This is a short-range ballistic missile. It has been developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Agni-I come with capacity ranging from 750 to 1250 Km and was first launched in 1989. It has capacity to carry up to 1 ton of warhead and weights 12 ton.

Agni-II:- This is the Mid range ballistic missile that has range between 2000 to 3000 Kms. Its weight is 16 Tons and is capable of carrying 1 Ton of warhead. It was tested on 17 May 2010 at Wheelers Island off Orissa coast.  Agni-IIA is advanced version of Agni-II, which is much lighter and has more range.

Agni-III:- This third version of Agni missiles comes with a attacking range between 3500Km to 5000 Km under intermediate-range ballistic missile category. Its weight is 22 Tons and can carry nuclear warheads up to 2.5 Tons. It can be used for deep targeting in neighbouring countries.

Agni IV:- This was one of the advanced version as compared to previous Agni versions. Also known as Agni II prime, it comprises of new technology, much lighter and is very highly accurate in target hitting. Its range is up to 4000 Kms with payload of 17 Tons.

Agni V:- Agni-V is an intercontinental ballistic missile which comes with a range of 5,500–8,000 km. The three stage ICBM type missile is having weight of 50 Tons and its warhead capacity is 1.5 Tons. Testing of the Agni-V surface to surface missile was done on April 19, 2012. With an accuracy level of less than 9 meters, it is best among any of missiles built by India.

Agni VI:- This missile is currently under construction by DRDO and will be a four-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. Design phase of the Agni VI missile has been completed and DRDO is working on its hardware part now. Once developed its expected weight is between 55 to 70 Tons with warhead carrying capacity of 3 Tons. Its range may be between 8000 Km to 12,000 Kms.

List of Indian missiles with Range

Prithvi missiles series of Surface to surface missiles: There are three variants of it which are used by three defence forces of India that is the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.

Take a look at all three versions on Prithvi missile:

Prithvi I: It is a Short Range Ballistic Missile is designed for Indian Army. The range of the missile is up to 150 km or 93 mi with a payload capacity of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb))

Prithvi II:- This is the Air Force version of surface to surface missile and also comes in Short Range Ballistic Missile category. Its range is more than double of Indian Army version Prithvi I but can carry payload of 500 Kg which is half as compared to Prithvi I.

Prithvi III: – This Indian Naval version has the range up to 350 km (220 mi). The payload capacity of this version is same as of Prithvi I that is 1,000 kg (2,200 lb)).

Dhanush: The next in the list of important missiles of India is Dhanush. It falls in the category of short range ballistic missile (Tactical). Actually it is another variant of Agni-II missile and is specially designed and developed for Indian Navy. It can carry both conventional as well as nuclear warheads and comes with a capacity payload ranging between 500 kg-1000 kg. Its target striking range is 350 Km. It was test fired successfully from INS Subhadra (P51) ship of Indian Navy at Bay of Bengal, Orissa on October 5, 2012, 23 November 2013, 9 April 2015, and 24 November 2015. Dhanush missile can be used in two ways which is its special quality. It can be utilized as an anti-ship weapon and also for demolishing land targets based on the range.

Prahaar(Pragati): This one is another deadly Short-range Ballistic Missile that comes with features like cost effectiveness, quick reaction, all-weather functioning, all-terrain, highly accurate battlefield support tactical weapon system. In terms of range of Prahaar missile, it comes with 150 km range.

Shaurya: This is considered to be the land version of the under-water Sagarika K-15 missile but DRDO never accepted this thing. The Shaurya missile is another surface-to-surface tactical missile and is development of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Talking regarding ranging capacity, Range of Shaurya missile is in between 750 to 1,900 km. It can carry payload up to 1 ton.

This above was list of all Indian missiles with range in surface to surface category. All information above given has been very vital for remembering General knowledge of Indian Missiles. Please note that this was one category other category missiles have been explained below in details. So read the whole post completely because all Indian missiles GK is important as question may be asked from any one.

Important missiles of India with Range: Surface to Air Missiles (SAM):

These having capability to attack targets in air from surface and are also called as ground-to-air missile (GTAM). There are mainly three missiles that come with surface to air attacking capabilities. The table below shows surface to air missile name of India and detailed explanations is mentioned below:

1. Akash (Surface To Air)

Akash missile is first in the list of Indian missiles under surface to air category. It is a joint production of three named DRDO, Bharat Electronics (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). All these three has contributed to different parts as the development part of Akash missile is managed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Missile Systems production is done by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and radars system is done by Bharat Electronics (BEL).

The range of Akash missile is 30 km at altitudes up to 18,000 m. The missile is capable of neutralising targets like cruise missiles, jet fighters and air-to-surface missiles. It has been serving under Indian Air Force and Indian Army.

2. Barak 8: (Surface To Air)

Barak 8 is a joint development by India’s DRDO and Israel’s Israel Aerospace Industries. It is a long range missile (100 Km) capable of nuclear warhead and is highly advanced. It is 4.5 meter long and the weight is around 3 tones. The payload capacity of Barak 8 is 70 Kilograms.

3. Trishul: (Surface to Air)

This is a Short Range surface to air missile of India which comes with a range of about 9 to 12 Kms. It can also be used at ships as anti-sea skimmer for targeting low flying missiles.

List of Important Missiles of India with Range: Air-to-air missiles

The next category under all missiles list of India is Air-to-air missiles. This category also has three main products. The list is as under:

1. Astra: (Air to Air )

Astra is a throwing weapon which is used for targets with varying range as well as altitudes. The speciality of Astra missile is that it can be used both that is for targets under short-range up to distance of 20 km and also for long-range targets of distance up to 80–110 km using alternative propulsion methods. The successful test of Astra missile was conducted on 18 March 2015 from a Su-30MKI fighter against a simulated live target.

2. k100 missile India: Air to Air

K100 is developed jointly by India and Russia. This comes with medium range air-to-air range of 300 to 400 Kms. It is the heavier missile produced in air-to-air category.

3. MICA : Short and medium range air-to-air missile

This was all about the all missiles of India with range. The information provided is very helpful not only for candidates who are doing preparations for government jobs but students can also read this information. It will help them to increase their GK of Indian missiles GK.

List of Indian Missiles with range: a quick revision of above

Surface-to-surface Indian missiles List

Name of Missile Country Type of Missile Missile Range
Agni-I India Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) Ranging from 750 to 1250 Km
Agni-II India Intermediate-range ballistic missile(IRBM) Between 2000 to 3000 Kms
Agni-III India Intermediate-range ballistic missile(IRBM) Between 3500Km to 5000 Km
Agni-IV India Intermediate-range ballistic missile(IRBM) 4000 Kms
Agni-V India Intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) 5,500–8,000 km
Agni VI India Intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) 8000 Km to 12,000 Kms
Prithvi I India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical) 150 km
Prithvi II India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical) 350+ Kms
Prithvi III India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical) 350 km
Dhanush India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical) 500 kg-1000 kg
Prahaar(Pragati) India Short Range Ballistic Missile(Tactical) 150 km range
Shaurya India Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) 750 to 1,900 km

Surface to Air Missiles List of India

Missile Name Country Type of Missile Range
Akash India Medium-range surface-to-air missile 30 km at 18,000 m altitude.
Barak 8 India and Israel long range surface to air missile 100 Kms
Trishul India Short Range surface to air missile of India 9 to 12 Kms

Air to Air Missiles List of India

Missile Name Country Type of Missile Range
Astra India Short and Long range 20 km (Short Range) & 80–110 km (Long Range)
K-100 Russia and India Medium range air-to-air missile 300 to 400 Kms
MICA IAF Not Available Not Available

Defence Missile List

Missile Name Country Type of Missile Range
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) India Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile Altitude- 80 km
Advanced Air Defence (AAD) India Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile Altitude- 30 km
Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) India Exo-atmospheric Anti-ballistic missile Altitude- 120 km

Indian Cruise Missiles List of India

Missile Name Country Type of Missile Range
Nirbhay India Subsonic cruise missile(Ship, submarine, aircraft and land) 1,000 -1500 km
BrahMos India and Russia Supersonic cruise missile(Ship, submarine, aircraft and land) 290 km
BrahMos II India Hypersonic cruise missile(Ship, submarine, aircraft and land) 300km

Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles

Missile Name Country Type of Missile Range
Sagarika (K-15) India Ballistic Missile 700 – 1900 Km
K-4 India Ballistic Missile 3,500–5,000 km
K-5 India Ballistic Missile 6,000 km
Ashwin India Ballistic Missile 150-200 km

Anti-Tank Missile

Missile Name Country Type of Missile Range
Nag India Anti-Tank Guided Missile 4km
Helina(HELIcopter launched NAg) India Anti-Tank Guided Missile 7-8km
Amogha-1 India Anti-Tank Guided Missile  2.8 km