09-05-2025
What is a ballistic missile? Understanding India's air defence systems and growing power in the skies
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on May 10, 2025, 03:45 IST
India's air defence capability has grown rapidly in recent years, positioning the country among the top five air powers in the world. With a fleet of approximately 1,750 aircraft, including around 900 fighter jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has transformed itself into a formidable force capable of defending against both aerial and ballistic threats.
But what exactly is a ballistic missile?
A ballistic missile is a projectile weapon that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flight path to deliver one or more warheads to a predetermined target. These missiles are launched directly into the upper layers of the atmosphere and then descend towards their target solely under the influence of gravity. Ballistic missiles can be launched from land, air, sea, or submarine platforms and are categorized based on their range: short-range, medium-range, intermediate-range, and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
To defend against such threats, India has developed an advanced multi-layered ballistic missile defence (BMD) system, which includes: I. Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme i) Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) Missile Type: Exo-atmospheric interceptor
Interception Altitude: Up to 80 km
Speed: Mach 5+
Guidance: Inertial navigation with radar homing
Capability: Destroys ballistic missiles in the outer atmosphere ii) Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile Type: Endo-atmospheric interceptor
Range: Up to 200 km
Interception Altitude: 30 km
Speed: Mach 4.5
Capability: Neutralizes missiles that penetrate the outer layer
These systems are designed to detect, track, and eliminate incoming ballistic threats before they can hit their intended targets. II. Medium and Short-Range Defence Systems
India uses a variety of Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems for close-range interception: Akash : Up to 45 km range
Barak 8 (developed with Israel) : 100 km range
SPYDER (Israeli) : Short-range quick-reaction system
QRSAM : 30 km range; mobile and suited for forward areas
2K12 Kub, Pechora: Soviet-era systems still in use III. Ultra-Close Defence: VSHORAD and Guns
India's last line of defence includes: Strela-10 , Tunguska , Shilka : Mobile SAM and radar-guided gun systems
ZU-23-2, Bofors 40 mm, KPV Heavy Machine Gun: Deployed with infantry units IV. Strategic Systems and Partnerships
India has already procured S-400 Triumph systems from Russia, capable of intercepting threats up to 400 km away. It is also developing indigenous solutions like Akash-NG and fast-tracking the deployment of hypersonic missile technologies.
As tensions rise in the region and the threat from hostile neighbours persists, India's commitment to a layered and responsive air defence grid underscores its shift from being a regional power to a global military force.
Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
