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हिन्दी — Read in HindiMissiles and air defence
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.
Foundation note: Ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles
Showing 4 of 5 articles, those that changed from 1 July to 30 September 2026.Show all
Agni-4
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Agni-4 is an indigenously developed missile of the intermediate range class, with a range of about 4,000 km.
- The intermediate range class runs from 3,000 to 5,500 km.
- It can carry either a conventional or a nuclear warhead.
What changed
6 Aug 2026BriefIndia 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. 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)
UPSC has asked
- Prelims 2014: the Agni-IV missile's type, propellant and range
Project Kusha
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Project Kusha is DRDO's long range surface to air missile system, with indigenous missiles, radars and command centre, in a class India has so far bought abroad.
What changed
23 Jul 2026BriefThe Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) flight tested its long range surface to air missile for the first time from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, intercepting an electronic target that simulated a fast, high altitude threat. PIB, 23 Jul 2026: DRDO conducts successful maiden flight-test of ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (opens in a new tab)
Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket
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Pinaka is the Army's multi barrel rocket launcher, and its guided long range rocket fires from the launcher already in service, so one launcher can fire variants of different ranges.
What changed
8 Jul 2026BriefDRDO tested the guided rocket at Chandipur for a user defined minimum range of 60 km. PIB, 8 Jul 2026: DRDO conducts successful flight-test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (opens in a new tab) · The Hindu, 9 Jul 2026: DRDO conducts successful flight test of Pinaka rocket (opens in a new tab)
BrahMos exports
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BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile made by a joint venture of DRDO and a Russian partner, so each export needs agreement on both sides; the Philippines was the first customer.
What changed
7 Jul 2026BriefIndia will supply two batteries of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to Indonesia, which joins the Philippines and Vietnam as customers. The Indian Express, 7 Jul 2026: India to supply two BrahMos batteries to Indonesia, taking the export list to three countries (opens in a new tab)