Latest news with #DefenseResearchandDevelopmentOrganization
India.com
3 days ago
- Science
- India.com
Bad news for Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China, India successfully tests homemade ULPGM-V3 missile capable of...
(Image: X/@DRDO_India) New Delhi: India has achieved a new milestone by further enhancing its military power. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully tested the UAV-launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. This missile was launched from a drone and it surprised everyone with its accurate shooting. What is ULPGM-V3 missile? The ULPGM-V3 is equipped with a high definition dual-channel seeker that can strike a wide variety of targets. It can be fired in plain and high-altitude areas. It has day-and-night capability and two-way data link to support post-launch target/aim-point update. The missile is equipped with three modular warhead options: Anti-armour to destroy modern age armoured vehicles equipped with Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA) with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA); Penetration-cum-Blast warhead with Anti Bunker application and Pre-fragmentation warhead with a high lethality zone. Who has developed the ULPGM-V3 missile? The missile is jointly developed by DRDO laboratories namely Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, High-Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Integrated Test Range and Defence Electronics Research Laboratory. The present trials were carried out for the Anti-armour configuration. What are the features of ULPGM-V3 missile? The missile was released from a UAV, which is indigenously developed by an Indian start-up – Newspace Research Technologies, Bengaluru. DRDO is actively pursuing integration of ULPGM weapons with long-range and high endurance UAVs from several other Indian companies. Development cum Production Partners (DcPPs) – Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad) and 30 MSMEs/start-ups contributed to making this unique project a grand success. The ULPGM-V3 missile is an important part of India's guided missile programme. Earlier, ULPGM-V2 was developed by DRDO's Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), which included many types of warheads. V3 is expected to have new technologies like imaging infrared (IIR) seekers and dual-thrust propulsion system, which makes it even more powerful. This missile is lightweight, accurate and will work with many types of air platforms. It was shown in Aero India 2025, which caught the attention of the world.
The Diplomat
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Hypersonic Arms in South Asia: Racing Toward Instability?
On July 16, India reportedly tested its most advanced hypersonic cruise missile under the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)'s classified Project Vishnu. Powered by an indigenous scramjet engine, media reports said the missile reached Mach 8 (around 11,000 km/h), demonstrated low-altitude maneuverability, and struck its target with precision. Designed for deployment from land, sea, and air platforms, the missile is dual-capable – able to carry conventional or nuclear payloads. While India has not officially confirmed the test, and some later reports denied a test had taken place, there is no doubt that India is moving toward development and testing of such a missile under Project Vishnu. India's hypersonic trajectory began with the Shaurya missile, tested in 2008 and 2020, which reached Mach 7.5 and laid the early groundwork for India's maneuverable strike systems. The Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) followed in 2020, reaching Mach 5.9 at 30 km altitude. The upcoming BrahMos-II, developed with Russia, is expected to achieve Mach 8 over 1,000-1,500 km, with flight trials due by 2027. India is also developing hypersonic drones like the RHH-150, reportedly capable of Mach 10 and mid-flight directional agility, potentially transforming regional strike and surveillance dynamics. These hypersonic platforms are not just technological upgrades; they reflect a broader doctrinal evolution in Indian thinking. Precision strikes at blistering speed are increasingly central to India's response options under a time-constrained escalation window. During the recent India-Pakistan conflict, India reportedly targeted six major airbases inside Pakistan, including a surface-to-air missile (SAM) site near Mailer base. Drones were used to locate and attack air defense batteries ahead of time, an indication of India's evolving emphasis on suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and kill-chain integration. This operational logic mirrors Israel's recent campaign against Iran, where coordinated air, missile, and drone strikes systematically neutralized Iran's air defense networks before penetrating strikes were executed. Israel's experience in 1973, where it lost over 100 aircraft largely to SAMs, has shaped a doctrine of pre-emptive suppression. Indian defense officials appear to be embracing similar lessons. At a recent conference, India's defense attaché to Indonesia remarked that the Indian Air Force took losses in the conflict 'only because of the constraint given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defenses…' He later added: 'After the loss, we changed our tactics and we went for the military installations… we first achieved suppression of enemy air defenses and then all our attacks could easily go through using BrahMos missiles.' These statements, when read alongside India's test and doctrinal posture, indicate a potential shift toward decapitation-style strikes – precise, rapid, and aimed at disabling Pakistan's retaliatory infrastructure before full mobilization. While India insists on maintaining escalation control, the technological velocity of hypersonic platforms may outpace political deliberation. Pakistan's geographic closeness to India compresses the available time for detection, target discrimination, and interception. Even with potential acquisitions like the Chinese HQ-19 missile defense system, Pakistan's capacity to neutralize fast, low-flying missiles across an extended border remains severely constrained. In the second phase of the recent crisis, India appeared to probe precisely this vulnerability. Islamabad has two primary options for responding to the threat, both perilous. The first is pre-emptive strike. India's deputy army chief recently revealed that during DGMO-level talks, Pakistan warned India to 'pull back' a launch vector, indicating Islamabad's real-time intelligence and vector tracking capabilities. Once Pakistan inducts stealth platforms like the J-35, it may be tempted to launch pre-emptive strikes targeting Indian aircraft or missile launchers pre-emptively. But such action would carry enormous political and military risk. The second option available to Pakistan is to exercise restraint and refrain from launching a pre-emptive strike, even in the face of credible signs of an impending Indian attack. However, this path carries serious risks of its own. India's hypersonic capabilities – particularly when paired with drones and precision-guided munitions – could severely degrade Pakistan's conventional response capability by targeting runways, radar networks, and air defense systems in the opening phase of conflict. Such strikes would not only impair Pakistan's ability to respond with conventional force but also disrupt command-and-control infrastructure critical to second-strike readiness. In this context, conventional deterrence begins to erode. The risks are further amplified by the fact that many of India's hypersonic systems are dual-capable. Most of these hypersonic missiles can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads, but their operational role remains undefined in India's public doctrine. This lack of transparency creates dangerous ambiguity. In a crisis, Pakistan would have no reliable way to discern whether an incoming hypersonic strike is intended to disable conventional forces or to deliver a strategic decapitation blow. Both of these factors – the erosion of conventional deterrence and the inability to distinguish between conventional and nuclear payloads under intense time pressure – heighten the risk of worst-case assumptions. In such a scenario, restraint becomes dangerous. Faced with a rapidly deteriorating battlefield and the possibility of strategic disarmament, Pakistan could shift toward a 'use-it-or-lose-it' mindset, increasing the likelihood of early nuclear use and inadvertent escalation. Escalation risk is further exacerbated by the absence of robust crisis communication mechanisms between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. As Pakistan's chairman of the Joint Chiefs observed, there is only a single operational hotline between India and Pakistan, with no supporting missile pre-notification regime or formal crisis control frameworks in place. In such an environment, strategic ambiguity, paired with the speed and opacity of hypersonic weapons, creates a dangerously unstable vacuum. The role of external powers is also under strain. During the latest crisis, the United States initially hesitated to intervene. Though it eventually played a backchannel role in securing a ceasefire, its involvement became politically toxic in India. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of 'surrendering to the U.S.,' prompting official denials of any foreign mediation. In future crises, such domestic political costs may deter Indian leaders from accepting U.S. involvement, weakening the last remaining circuit breaker in South Asia's escalation ladder. India's hypersonic capabilities are accelerating. Its doctrinal shift toward rapid precision strikes, backed by stealth, space-based ISR, and drones, suggests that the next India-Pakistan conflict may unfold more rapidly than ever before. But strategic speed, in a region without escalation buffers, is a double-edged sword. Without arms control mechanisms, missile restraint regimes, or institutionalized pathways to reduce tensions, South Asia risks sleepwalking into a conflict where no side can confidently predict outcomes – only costs.
India.com
18-07-2025
- India.com
What are the features of Prithvi 2 missile tested by India? Its range, speed, accuracy..., know all details
(Representational image) New Delhi: India has successfully tested 2 short-range ballistic missiles, Prithvi-2 and Agni-1 from the Integrated Test Range located off the coast of Odisha. Prithvi-II is India's indigenous surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile. It has been developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It is part of the Prithvi missile series and it is operated by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army. The range of Prithvi-2 missile is 250-350 kilometers. With a payload of 500-1000 kg, this missile is capable of carrying nuclear and other weapons. Its accuracy of 10-15-meter Circular Error Probable (CEP) and night launch capability make it important in the defense sector. Its first test was conducted in 1996. What is Prithvi-II missile? Prithvi-II is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) built by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It has a range of 250-350 kilometers, depending on the weight of the payload. It can carry both nuclear and conventional payload of 500 to 1000 kg of explosives. What is Prithvi-II missile designed for? The Prithvi-II missile is designed for tactical and strategic attacks. It includes precision strikes on enemy targets and nuclear deterrence. Developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), its first test was conducted on 27 January 1996. Prithvi-II is a single-stage, liquid-fuel ballistic missile capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional weapons. Its circular error probable (CEP) is around 10-15 meters, making it very accurate. What are the other features of Prithvi-II missile? The latest test of Prithvi-II missile was conducted on 17 July 2025 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located near the Odisha coast. Its weight is around 4,600 kg. It is operated by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army. Prithvi-II flies at a speed of about Mach 7 (8643 km/h). It uses inertial navigation system (INS) and GPS-based guidance system. Prithvi-II missile is an important part of India's prevention policy, which provides the ability to take immediate and accurate retaliation against neighbouring countries.
India Gazette
14-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Demand grows for BrahMos missiles Indian defense minister
The weapons were used by India against Pakistan in May and now many nations have shown an interest, Rajnath Singh has said Around 15 nations have shown an interest in buying long-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, the country's defense minister Rajnath Singh has said. The weapons were successfully used by India during its military confrontation with Pakistan in May. Speaking at an event on Sunday, Singh praised the "outstanding role" that the BrahMos missiles played in the conflict, which India codenamed "Operation Sindoor." "During Operation Sindoor, BrahMos missile achieved a miraculous feat. Now, around 14-15 countries want to have this missile," Singh said. The missiles are manufactured by BrahMos Aerospace, an Indo-Russian joint venture named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. India's Defense Research and Development Organization has a 50.5% stake in the company, while Russian NPO Mashinostroyenia holds 49.5%. BrahMos missiles, along with the Russian-manufactured S-400s played an important role in defending Indian air bases and other military installations against Pakistani strikes during the four-day conflict in May. The Indian armed forces presently rely heavily on Russian-origin equipment, with around 60% of their arsenal being of Russian make. Last month, Singh held talks with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in China, discussing the supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and the procurement of critical military hardware. With India increasingly moving towards domestic production of weapons, New Delhi has welcomed Russian participation in its arms industry. Earlier this month, Russia delivered a new Krivak-class stealth frigate to the Indian Navy, the eighth such vessel to be handed over to India in the last 20 years. Thefrigate, which has 26% Indian components, was built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad. Indian specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team monitored the vessel's construction. (
India.com
10-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Modi govt gives more SHOCK to Pakistan and China as DRDO builds three powerful engines for...; will end India's dependence on US, France because...
The Kaveri engine is designed to power advanced fighter aircraft like the AMCA. (File) Kaveri Engine: In a significant step towards self-reliance in the defense sector, India's state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is indigenously developing not just one, but three powerful state-of-the-art engines for different platforms– fighter jets, tanks, and naval warships, and drones– under its Kaveri 2.0 project. What are the indigenous engines being developed by India? According to details, DRDO has been working to build aero engines under the Kaveri project, and has successfully developed a high-power Kaveri engine with dry thrust of 50 kilo newtons (kN). The engine can be used to power Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) aka military drones, and even some manned aircraft, but is not powerful enough for latest fighter jets. The Kaveri engine project began in the 1980s, and now work has begun on Kaveri 2.0, under which India aims to develop homegrown jet engines to reduce dependence on foreign imports. India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' requires about 85 KN thrust, while future warplanes are expected to need at least 100 KN thrust. India aims to develop its own jet engines under the Kaveri engine program so that indigenous fighter planes don't have to face delays, as is being witnessed with the 5th-gen AMCA program. Additionally, India is also developing its own gas turbine engines for its naval warships. The main warships of the Indian Navy, including destroyers, frigates, missile carriers and even the latest aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, are powered by gas turbines, because it holds many advantages over conventional diesel and steam propulsion systems for marine use. Further, India is focusing on the development of powerful engines for indigenously battle tanks, and the DATRAN 1500 HP engines are already in prototype stages. The heavy-duty engines have different variant, which are being designed to power a wide range of armaments, including the Arjun MBT, Mk-1, and Mk-2 tanks, Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV), as well as self-propelled howitzers like the K-9 Vajra, and T-90 tanks. How Kaveri 2.o will India's dependence on US, France? The Kaveri 2.0, which aims to improve the original Kaveri engine, is a next-generation turbofan engine being developed by India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). Designed for use in 4.5 gen and 5th-generation aircraft, the Kaveri 2.0 engine core will churn out thrust between 55 and 58 kN, and is expected to achieve the required 90 kN thrust with its afterburner or wet thrust. The GTRE aims to bring the Kaveri 2.0 at par with US F-404 (84 kN) and F-414 (98 kN) engines, and success would mean an end to reliance on the US for jet engines, and rapid advances in India's ambitious indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet program. Why India needs indigenous engines? The development of homegrown engines for Aero, Marine and Tank platforms would give India self-reliance in the defense space, and end dependence on countries like France and US, which have delayed India's fighter jet programs by decades by not delivering engines on time, and even refusing to share the source code of Rafale fighter jets. India's success would be a major shock to enemy nations like China and Pakistan, and would put us in the elite group of countries that have indigenous fighter jet engine technology– these are the US, Russia, and France.
