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Missiles and air defence
Missiles and the defences against them: how missiles are classed by flight, range and launch, India's missile families and air defence systems, and the regimes that control missile technology. Prelims has asked about Agni-IV and how ballistic and cruise missiles differ.
UPSC has asked
- Prelims 2023: how ballistic and cruise missiles are propelled
6 Aug 2026 · Prelims
Agni-4
The first division among missiles is between the ballistic missile and the cruise missile, by how the missile flies. The second is range, running from short-range through medium and intermediate to intercontinental. The third is launch mode: surface to surface, surface to air, air to air, air to surface and submarine launched.
- Agni-4 is indigenously developed.
- Its range of about 4,000 km places it in the medium-range class.
- It can carry either a conventional or a nuclear warhead.
- India tested it from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, on the Odisha coast.
- The launch was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command and validated all operational and technical parameters.
UPSC has asked
- Prelims 2014: the Agni-IV missile's type, propellant and range
PIB, 6 Aug 2026: Agni-4 test-fired (opens in a new tab) · The Hindu, 7 Aug 2026: Agni-4 test-fired (opens in a new tab)