Rudram anti-radiation missile
Key points
- India today has successfully tested the ‘Rudram’ anti-radiation missile from a Sukhoi-30 fighter jet off the east coast
- The missile has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
- It has been designed for the suppression of enemy air defenses.
New Delhi: India today successfully tested the DRDO-developed Rudram anti-radiation missile from a Sukhoi-30 fighter jet off the east coast. The missile has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
The missile will provide air superiority, tactical capability for the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets.
Designed for suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), the missile can be launched from a variable range of altitudes to destroy enemy surveillance radars, tracking and communication systems.
Can be integrated with Mirage, Jaguar and Tejas
This missile, the first of its kind in the IAF arsenal, may also be integrated with Mirage 2000, Jaguar, HAL Tejas and HAL Tejas Mark 2 in the future. Currently, its main test platform is Sukhoi Su-30MKI.
This new generation anti-radiation missile (NGARM) with an attack range of around 100 to 150 km is the first indigenous air-to-surface missile developed by the DRDO, after the supersonic BrahMos, which has been developed jointly with Russia.
The single-stage missile weighs 140 kg and is powered by a solid double-pulse rocket motor.
The missile uses pre-fragmented warheads with an optical proximity fuze. The homegrown missile is expected to create a surveillance breach in enemy territory.
Amid tensions with China, India has conducted four missile tests
Amid tensions with China along the Royal Line of Control (LAC), India has conducted four missile tests and has also deployed Nirbhay missiles in LAC.
The Narendra Modi government also approved the induction and deployment of the Shaurya supersonic strategic missile from surface to surface with a range of 700 km.
Recently, India had tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV).
The HSTDV will be developed as a long-range, hypersonic cruise missile carrier vehicle.
The tests and the deployment of indigenous missiles show that the Modi government will not remain silent if China demonstrates aggression to carry out illegal territorial expansion throughout LAC.
