Ex-DRDO Chief Proposes Development of Longer-Range Tactical Missile

Dr. Avinash Chander, the former head of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has proposed the development of a significantly longer-range tactical ballistic missile.

Speaking to Nitin A. Gokhale of Bharat Shakti, Dr. Chander advocated for a missile with a range of 1200-1500 km, emphasizing a cost-effective approach to its development.

India's Current Tactical Missile Capabilities​

India currently fields the Pralay, a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of up to 500 km.

This missile is designed for battlefield use and will be a key part of the Integrated Rocket Force (IRF). Dr. Chander's proposal would represent a threefold increase in range.

Strategic Implications​

The development of a tactical missile with a range exceeding 1000 km has significant strategic implications. Missiles of this range begin to approach the classification of intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs).

IRBMs are often subject to arms control treaties and increased international scrutiny due to their ability to act as regional force multipliers.

Potential Challenges​

Developing a new missile in the proposed range would likely bring increased attention from India's neighbors and international partners. Questions may arise regarding the intent behind such a weapon system and its compatibility with India's doctrine of credible minimum deterrence.

Moreover, developing and fielding an entirely new class of missile will undoubtedly consume significant resources, both financial and in terms of technical expertise.

Policy Considerations for India​

Dr. Chander's proposal highlights an ongoing debate within India's defence establishment regarding the appropriate force mix to address potential regional threats.

This proposal will undoubtedly spark further discussions on the trade-offs between tactical battlefield advantages and the broader strategic ramifications of developing longer-range missile systems.

 

[Hari Sud]

Tactical Missile with 1200 to 1500 kms will not be very accurate.
Also the missile can be detected and tracked by long range radars, and then intercepted very easily.
Just use Agni series with maximum payloads of all kinds.

 

[Hari Sud]

He is the same DRDO head who was sacked from his job in 2015

Top Missile Scientist Avinash Chander Sacked As DRDO Chief Without Explanation

The government on Tuesday abruptly removed the chief of India's top defence research organization, Avinash Chander, 15 months before his contract was to end.

www.ndtv.com

 

[Satya Dev]

With 1200-1500km range the missiles fired from Arunanchal Pradesh can reach only cities like Chengdu & Kunming - Beijing & Shanghai are 3500km away.

 

[GMR]

Wonder why Prahar & Nirbhay is not mentioned here...

 

[INDIAN]

Why we are discussing even , development should have started long back.
With China in mind , at least 1500 km range tactical moveable missiles should be there to hit deep inside them , given Chinese large areas.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

With 1200-1500km range the missiles fired from Arunanchal Pradesh can reach only cities like Chengdu & Kunming - Beijing & Shanghai are 3500km away.

We have strategic missiles for that purpose like agni series. This article is about tactical missiles for use on battlefield, not strategic missiles to blow up cities.

 

[nakul1307]

We need cheap long range missiles to overwhelm expensive counter measures like S400.

 

[Tls Mani]

International treaties have no meaning when Chinese Russia Iran pakis & NK possess & flaunt them & threaten global security.India must develop these weapons to counter Jihadi Pakis & expansionist chinese

 

[SK]

It's best to develop Tactical Missile but only with a max range of 900-km to avoid any interference or oversight from International authorities.

India will only have to use these tactical Missiles against PLA in Tibet & Pakistani Military.

Tactical Missiles with range of upto 900Km can be used to destory Dams, Power Stations, Railway Stations, Bridges etc to disrupt Pakistani Military movements & create unrest within the Civilian population.

 

[Akshat]

It's best to develop Tactical Missile but only with a max range of 900-km to avoid any interference or oversight from International authorities.

India will only have to use these tactical Missiles against PLA in Tibet & Pakistani Military.

Tactical Missiles with range of upto 900Km can be used to destory Dams, Power Stations, Railway Stations, Bridges etc to disrupt Pakistani Military movements & create unrest within the Civilian population.

Where did the number 900 km come from, regarding international authorities? Only concerned authority is MTCR, and they have an upper limit of 300 km. No authority oversees anything with regards to 900 km range missiles.

 

[Akshat]

Wonder why Prahar & Nirbhay is not mentioned here...

Because Nirbhay is a failure. As for Prahaar, not even sure what its status is.

 

[Sandeep]

Currently the newly developed Agni Prime fits within that category of 1000-2000km range and we can also use the Agni 1&2 missile.

So this article is absolute rubbish claiming that we need to develop a tactical missile when we have already developed several missiles within that range.

 

[Amit Ray]

It should be hypersonic missiles to be of any credible threat.

 

[Gaurav Verma]

Wonder why Prahar & Nirbhay is not mentioned here...

Nirbhay is a cruise missile that's subsonic like tomahawk & expensive
This article is about cost effective long range missile for tactical use to be integrated in rocket force

 

[Rational Guy]

Tactical Missile with 1200 to 1500 kms will not be very accurate.
Also the missile can be detected and tracked by long range radars, and then intercepted very easily.
Just use Agni series with maximum payloads of all kinds.

Agni is for nuclear payload. When we launch Agni the enemy will think we are hitting them with nukes and they will launch nukes too. If we made 5,000 KM Agni 5 which can hit targets with 10m CEP you think we can't make maneuverable 1500 KM hit target with similar accuracy? Lol. We need these long range ballistic missiles.

 

[Rational Guy]

We have strategic missiles for that purpose like agni series. This article is about tactical missiles for use on battlefield, not strategic missiles to blow up cities.

Chinese conventional missiles and MLRS can hit Delhi but our conventional missed can't hit their key cities.

 

[Rational Guy]

Currently the newly developed Agni Prime fits within that category of 1000-2000km range and we can also use the Agni 1&2 missile.

So this article is absolute rubbish claiming that we need to develop a tactical missile when we have already developed several missiles within that range.

Those missiles are for nuclear delivery and not for conventional use if we use them for conventional targets the enemy will think we are launching nukes and then they will also launch nukes. Use your brain.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Chinese conventional missiles and MLRS can hit Delhi but our conventional missed can't hit their key cities.

they wont use conventional missiles on cities. they have nukes for that. Same goes for us. Conventional missiles are used on military facilities. Attacking cities is huge escalation which could spark nuclear war.

 

[NSR]

Agni is for nuclear payload. When we launch Agni the enemy will think we are hitting them with nukes and they will launch nukes too. If we made 5,000 KM Agni 5 which can hit targets with 10m CEP you think we can't make maneuverable 1500 KM hit target with similar accuracy? Lol. We need these long range ballistic missiles.

Agni I is a 750 to 1000 kms range with 1000 kg conventional or nuclear payload.
India already has Pralays and Prahars for 300 to 500 kms, and Nirbhay cruise missiles with ranges all the way to 1,000+ kms.
Just improve their precision.
The would be good enough for India.