Type: Prelims Only

1. Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

• Launched: 1983
• Leader: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
• Objective: Self-reliance in missile technology
• Duration: 1983 to 2012

Missiles (PATNA):

• Prithvi: Surface to Surface
• Agni: Ballistic (later separated)
• Trishul: Short range SAM
• Nag: Anti tank, fire and forget
• Akash: Medium range SAM

Keywords: Self-reliance, Indigenous missiles, Strategic deterrence

Prelims Traps:

• IGMDP not ongoing
• Agni separated from programme

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2. Ballistic vs Cruise Missiles

Ballistic Missile:

• Path: Parabolic trajectory
• Propulsion: Initial phase only
• Altitude: Outside atmosphere
• Speed: Hypersonic

Cruise Missile:

• Path: Aircraft-like
• Propulsion: Continuous
• Altitude: Low altitude
• Accuracy: High

Keywords: Trajectory, Propulsion, Detection

Prelims Traps:

• Cruise missiles harder to detect
• Ballistic missiles less maneuverable

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3. Hypersonic Technology

• Speed: Mach 5 and above

Types:

• HGV: Rocket launched, glide phase
• Hypersonic Cruise: Scramjet powered

India:

• HSTDV by DRDO
• Scramjet tested by ISRO

Engine Types:

• Ramjet: Subsonic combustion
• Scramjet: Supersonic combustion

Keywords: Mach 5, Scramjet, Hypersonic

Prelims Traps:

• Scramjet requires very high initial speed

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4. Agni Series Missiles

Agni V:

• Range: Greater than 5000 km
• Type: Ballistic
• Feature: MIRV capable

Agni Prime:

• Range: 1000 to 2000 km
• Feature: Canisterised

Keywords: MIRV, Canisterisation, Strategic missile

Prelims Traps:

• Canisterisation reduces launch time

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5. Pralay Missile

• Type: Quasi ballistic
• Range: 150 to 500 km
• Payload: 500 to 1000 kg

Features:

• Maneuverable trajectory
• Hard to intercept

Keywords: Quasi ballistic, Tactical missile

Prelims Trap:

• Not a cruise missile

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6. Astra Mk III (Gandiva)

• Type: Air to air missile
• Range: 300 to 350 km
• Speed: Around Mach 4.5

Platforms:

• Su 30 MKI
• Tejas

Keywords: BVR missile, Air combat

Prelims Trap:

• Beyond Visual Range missile

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7. BrahMos Missile

• Type: Supersonic cruise missile
• Speed: Around Mach 3
• Range: Around 350 km

Developed by:

• India and Russia

Variants:

• Land, Air, Sea, Submarine

Keywords: Supersonic, Ramjet, Fire and forget

Prelims Traps:

• Uses ramjet engine

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8. Akashteer System

• Type: AI enabled air defence system
• Developer: Bharat Electronics Limited
• Induction: 2024

Features:

• Autonomous monitoring
• Tri services integration

Keywords: AI defence, C4ISR integration

Prelims Trap:

• Army focused system

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9. IACCS

• Full Form: Integrated Air Command and Control System
• Service: Indian Air Force

Features:

• Radar integration
• Real time data sharing
• Multi layer defence

Layers:

• Counter drone
• Short range
• Medium range
• Long range

Keywords: Network centric warfare, Air defence

Prelims Trap:

• Not a Navy system

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10. Project Kusha

• Type: Long range air defence system
• Developer: DRDO

Features:

• Interceptors: 150, 250, 350 km
• Comparable to S 400, Patriot

Keywords: Missile shield, Indigenous defence

Prelims Trap:

• Fully indigenous

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11. Directed Energy Weapon (Sahastra Shakti)

• Type: Laser weapon
• Power: 30 kilowatt
• Developer: DRDO

Targets:

• Drones
• Missiles

Keywords: Laser, Speed of light, DEW

Prelims Trap:

• No conventional ammunition

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12. K 4 Missile

• Type: SLBM
• Range: Around 3500 km

Platform:

• Nuclear submarines

Keywords: Second strike, Nuclear deterrence

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13. INS Taragiri

• Type: Stealth frigate
• Project: 17A
• Class: Nilgiri

Features:

• 75 percent indigenous
• Multi mission

Keywords: Stealth, Naval modernization

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14. Fighter Aircraft Generations

4th Generation:

• Maneuverability

4.5 Generation:

• AESA radar
• Advanced avionics

5th Generation:

• Stealth
• Sensor fusion

6th Generation:

• AI integration
• Drone teaming

India:

• Tejas Mk1A: 4.5 generation
• AMCA: 5th generation

Keywords: Stealth, AESA, AI

Prelims Trap:

• 4.5 generation not stealth

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15. Drone Systems

Types:

• HALE: MQ 9B
• MALE: TAPAS, Rustom
• Loitering munition: Harop

Indian Systems:

• Indrajaal: Anti drone dome
• Bhragavastra: Micro missile system

Keywords: UAV, Loitering munition, Surveillance

Prelims Trap:

• Loitering munition is drone missile hybrid

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16. Sonobuoys

• Use: Anti submarine warfare

Working:

• Dropped in water
• Hydrophone detects sound
• Data transmitted to aircraft

Keywords: Underwater detection, Acoustic signals

Prelims Trap:

• Not radar based

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17. Mission Sudarshan Chakra

• Announcement: 15 August 2025

Objective:

• National security shield by 2035

Coverage:

• Air, land, sea
• Civilian infrastructure

Keywords: Integrated defence, National security

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18. Golden Dome

• Country: USA
• Type: Missile defence system

Features:

• Ground and space based

Legal Aspect:

• Outer Space Treaty bans WMD in space
• Conventional weapons allowed

Keywords: Space militarisation, Missile shield

Prelims Trap:

• Space not fully demilitarised