Integrated Guided Missiles Development Programme (IGDMP)

India’s missile development program has evolved significantly, driven by the Integrated Guided Missiles Development Programme (IGMDP) initiated in 1983 under Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. This program aimed to develop a range of missiles including Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag, and the Agni series, bolstering India’s strategic capabilities in defense.

Evolution and Capabilities of India’s Missile Development Program

Origin: IGMDP (conceived by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam) was started in 1983 to develop Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag and a Technology Demonstrator Agni Missile.

• The technology demonstrator missile of the Agni series ( tested in 1989) was developed under the IGMDP. Afterwards, the Agni missile program was detached from the IGMDP.
• Prithvi Missile: Prithvi is a nuclear-capable surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile developed by DRDO with three variants:

• Trishul Missile: It is a quick reaction, short-range surface-to-air missile equipped with electronic measures against known aircraft jammers with a range of 9-12 km and can also be used as an anti-sea skimming missile. 

• Akash Missile: It is a short-range surface-to-air missile system (with built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features) configured on a mobile platform which can simultaneously engage multiple targets. 
  • It weighs 710 kg and has an operational range of 4.5-25 km (altitude: 0.1-20 km).
• NAG Missile: NAG is a third-generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) with Fire and Forget top attack capability and an operational range of 0.5-4 km. Other features-
  • NAG missile carrier NAMICA, a BMP II based system with amphibious capability, has been developed.
  • HELINA (DHRUVASTRA), an abbreviation for Helicopter Launched NAG, is an air-to-surface missile system mounted on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) with an operational range of 0.5-7 km. 
• Agni Technology Demonstrator: The two-stage (first stage: solid-fuel) capable of carrying a payload of 1000 kg was first tested in 1989.  
  • Later it evolved into the solid-fuel Agni-1 and Agni-2 missiles. 

Agni Missile

Agni Missiles are short-range (medium) to long-range (intercontinental) surface-to-surface nuclear-capable ballistic missiles which provide strategic deterrence to India.

Conclusion

India’s missile development journey, beginning with the IGMDP, has resulted in a diverse array of advanced missiles like Prithvi, Akash, Nag, and the formidable Agni series, ranging from short-range to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). 

• These missiles serve crucial roles in India’s defense strategy, showcasing technological prowess and enhancing national security capabilities.