Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme: Difference between revisions

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The '''Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme''' (IGMDP) was an Indian [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] programme for the [[research and development]] of the comprehensive range of [[missile]]s. The programme was managed by the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) and [[Ordnance Factories Board]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofb.gov.in/units/index.php?unit=ofi&page=my_2&lang=en |title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Ordnance Factory Itarsi |publisher=Ofb.gov.in |access-date=2012-12-24}}</ref> in partnership with other [[Indian government]] political organisations.<ref name="brahmos-site-igmdp">{{cite web

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* Short range surface-to-surface missile (code-named [[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi]])

* Short range low-level surface-to-air missile (code-named [[Trishul (missile)|Trishul]])

* Medium range surface-to-air missile (code-named [[Akash (missile)|Akash]]) and

* Third-generation anti-tank missile (code-named [[Nag (missile)|Nag]]).

The '''Prithvi missile''' (from [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] पृथ्वी ''[[prithvi|{{IAST|pṛthvī}}]]'' "Earth") is a family of tactical [[Surface-to-surface missile|surface-to-surface]] short-range [[ballistic missile]]s (SRBM) and is India's first indigenously developed ballistic missile. Development of the Prithvi began in 1983, and it was first test-fired on 25 February 1988 from Sriharikota, SHAR Centre, Pottisreeramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. It has a range of up to 150 to 300&nbsp;km. The land variant is called  '''Prithvi'''  while the naval operational variant of Prithvi I and Prithvi III class missiles are code named '''Dhanush''' (meaning '''Bow'''). Both variants are used for surface targets.

The Prithvi is said to have its propulsion technology derived from the Soviet [[SA-2]] surface-to-air missile.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/india/prithvi.htm |title=Prithvi – India Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |access-date=2010-10-08}}</ref> Variants make use of either liquid or both liquid and solid fuels. Developed as a battlefield missile, it could carry a nuclear warhead in its role as a tactical [[nuclear weapon]].

A technology demonstrator for re-entry technology called Agni was added to IGMDP as Prithvi was unable to be converted to a longer ranged missile. The first flight of Agni with re-entry technology took place in 1989.<ref name="frontline-13feb09">{{cite magazine|author=T. S. Subramanian|date=31 January – 13 February 2009|title=Missile shield|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2603/stories/20090213260309700.htm|magazine=Frontline|volume=26|issue=3|publisher=Kasturi|issn=0970-1710}}</ref> The re-entry system used resins and carbon fibres in its construction and was able to withstand a temperature of up to 3000&nbsp;°C.<ref name="frontline-13feb09"/><ref>{{cite magazine|author=T. S. Subramanian|date=21 August 2015|title=Technologist to the core|url=http://www.frontline.in/other/obituary/technologist-to-the-core/article7499055.ece|magazine=Frontline|publisher=Kasturi|issn=0970-1710}}</ref> The technologies developed in this project were eventually used in the [[Agni (missile)|Agni series]] of missiles.<ref>{{cite web|author1=PIB Delhi|title=Missile Development Programme|url=http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=85986|date=13 August 2012}}</ref>

'''Trishul''' ([[Sanskrit]]: त्रिशूल, meaning ''[[trident]]'') is the name of a short range [[surface-to-air missile]] developed by India as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. It has a range of 12&nbsp;km and is fitted with a 5.5&nbsp;kg [[warhead]]. Designed to be used against low-level (sea skimming) targets at short range, the system has been developed to defend [[naval]] vessels against missiles and also as a short-range surface-to-air missile on land. According to reports, the range of the missile is 12&nbsp;km and is fitted with a 15&nbsp;kg warhead. The weight of the missile is 130&nbsp;kg. The length of the missile is 3.1 m.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-defence.com/reports-3210 |title=Trishul Surface To Air Missile Not A Failure Says Government |publisher=India-defence.com |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=2010-08-31}}</ref> India officially shut down the project on 27 February 2008.<ref name=trishul_shut/> In 2003, Defence Minister [[George Fernandes]] had indicated that the Trishul missile had been de-linked from user service and would be continued as a technology demonstrator.

The IAF has initiated the process to induct the [[Akash missile|Akash]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s developed as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The Multiple target handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in a C4I environment during the trials. Two Akash missiles intercepted two fast moving targets in simultaneous engagement mode in 2005 itself. The Akash System's 3-D central acquisition radar (3-D car) group mode performance was then fully established.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontierindia.net/iaf-initiates-process-for-inducting-akash-and-trishul-sams/ |title=IAF initiates process for inducting Akash and Trishul SAM's |publisher=Frontierindia.net |date=3 May 2007 |access-date=2010-08-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325051818/http://frontierindia.net/iaf-initiates-process-for-inducting-akash-and-trishul-sams/ |archive-date=25 March 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-defence.com/reports-3629 |title=Air Force Impressed With Akash Surface To Air Missiles Performance |publisher=India-defence.com |access-date=2010-08-31}}</ref>

{{Portal|India}}

* [http://missilethreat.csis.org/india/ CSIS Missile Threat - India]

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