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Home / IAS Preparation / Surface To Surface Missile

Surface To Surface Missile- Features, Types & List of Indian Missiles for UPSC IAS exam

Last Updated on Jul 14, 2023
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A surface-to-surface missile (SSM)is also a ground-to-ground (GGM). It is a projectile designed for launch from land or sea platforms to hit targets on land or at sea. These missiles can be launched from hand-held or vehicle-mounted devices, fixed installations, or ships. A rocket engine or explosive charge typically powers them, as the launching platform is often stationary or moves slowly. These missiles have fins and wings to ensure stability and lift, although some high-speed or short-range missiles may rely on body lift or follow a ballistic trajectory. The V-1 flying bomb was the first operational surface-to-surface missile in history.

This article briefly discusses the ‘Surface Surface Missile system and also throws light upon the current status of India’s surface-to-surface missile program and its relevance for the defense and security of the country. 

The topic of surface-to-surface missiles is important for the Science and Tech section of UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 3 and General Studies Paper 1 of the IAS Prelims exam.

Practice UPSC Prelims Science And Technology Previous Year Questions here.

What is a Surface to Surface Missile?

Surface to the surface missile is a weapon system capable of launching the missile from the ground or water (sea) surface and hitting the target at the ground or sea. The surface-to-surface missile is generally powered by a rocket engine like a scramjet engine which provides it the desired high speed, and sometimes it is fired by an explosive charge as well.

  • These are guided missile systems (i.e., remotely controlled and can alter their course during the flight) and can be launched from various platforms and devices.
  • For example- a man-portable rocket launcher or vehicle mounting device can also be launched from fixed installations or a slow-moving platform like a ship sailing in the sea.
  • As these are high-speed, flying objects, fins and wings are installed to lift and provide stability to the missile.
  • But the short-range or hypersonic missiles fly in a ballistic path or may use a body lift.

Check out this article on Air to Air Missile here!

First Surface to Surface Missile of India

The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, helmed by the then DRDO chief and ex-President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (also known as the missile man of India), started in 1983, and It began the development of India’s first surface-to-surface missile Prithvi. Prithvi was India’s first indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile. It was the first test-fired on 25 February 1988. Prithvi is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead as well.

Also, read this article on Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Weapons here!

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Types of Surface-to-Surface Missile

Since its Inception, the surface-to-surface missile system has come a long way and is divided into the following types based on their range, trajectory, speed, and various other aspects.

Ballistic Missile

The ballistic missile follows a sub-orbital parabolic ballistic path and uses projectile motion to deliver a warhead at a designated target location. These missiles are powered briefly and not during the complete flight, as the rest is unpowered. Ballistic missiles are further sub-categorized into:

  • Tactical Ballistic Missile– Range-150 to 300 km, example- Prahaar
  • Theatre Ballistic Missile– Range- 300 to 3500 km, example- Agni-1
  • Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) or Long Range Ballistic Missile– Range-3500 to 5500 km, for example- Agni-4
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)– Range-more than 5500 km, example- Agni-5
  • Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile– Intercontinental ballistic missiles launched from ballistic missile-capable submarines.

Read these articles on Cartosat 2 here!

Cruise Missile

Cruise missiles are ground-hugging missiles that travel at a very low height, close to the ground, and at very high speed.

  • These are self-navigating missiles capable of delivering large warheads with high precision over a strategically long distance.
  • Cruise missiles are classified into Subsonic Cruise Missiles, Supersonic Cruise Missiles, and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles.
  • Cruise Missiles are extremely precise and are considered very efficient in modern warfare. Example- BrahMos

Anti-Tank Guided Missile

  • As the name suggests, these missiles are used for anti-tank or anti-armored vehicle terrestrial warfare.
  • These missiles also travel very close to the ground and range around 5 to 20 km.
  • Their low-flying ability makes tracking and attacking the anti-tank guided missiles almost impossible.

Anti Ship Missile (AShM)

Anti-ship missiles are used in anti-ship warfare at sea, and these guided missiles use the sea-skimming technique to prevent detection by radar, infrared, and other missile detection technology.

Check the Article on Cartosat 3 here!

Agni Series Missiles
  • The Agni series is a family of medium to intercontinental-range ballistic missiles developed by India, named after one of the five elements of nature.
  •  Agni missiles are long-range, nuclear weapons capable, surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. 
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India developed the Agni series. 
  • The first missile in the series, the Agni-I, was test-fired in 1989. The latest missile in the series, the Agni-VI, is still under development.
  • The Agni series is a key part of India's nuclear deterrent. 
  • The missiles can carry nuclear warheads and reach targets hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away. This gives India the ability to deter any attack by a nuclear-armed country. 
  • The Agni series has been a major success for the DRDO. The missiles are reliable and accurate and have been test-fired many times.
  •  The Agni series has also significantly boosted India's status as a regional power. 
  • The Agni series is a potent weapon system that gives India a strong deterrent against any potential aggressor. 
  • The missiles are a major achievement for the DRDO and a symbol of India's growing military power.

Brahmos Series Missiles
  • The Brahmos missile is a joint venture between the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Russian NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
  • The missile is named after the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia.
  • The Brahmos missile is a two-stage missile with a solid-propellant booster and a ramjet sustainer.
  • A combination of inertial navigation and terminal guidance guides the missile.
  • The Brahmos missile can carry a variety of warheads, including conventional and nuclear warheads.
  • The Brahmos missile has been test-fired over 200 times and has been inducted into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • The Brahmos missile is a major technological achievement and a powerful weapon system. It is a key part of India's defense strategy and will play a significant role in its security for many years.

Prithvi Series Missiles
  • The Prithvi series is a family of short-range ballistic missiles developed by India.
  • These missiles are named after the Hindu god of the Earth.
  • The Prithvi missiles are solid-fueled and can be launched from various platforms, including trucks, trains, and submarines.
  • The Prithvi missiles have a range of up to 350 kilometers.
  • The Prithvi missiles can carry a variety of warheads, including conventional and nuclear warheads.
  • The Prithvi missiles are a key part of India's nuclear deterrent and are used by the Indian Army and Air Force.

List of Surface to Surface Missiles in India

Owing to the success of the Integrated Missile Development Programme, India today is the proud owner of various types if missile systems including a wide range of Surface to Surface Missiles, which is as follows:

Name of Missile 

Type

Range

Agni-1

Medium Range Ballistic Missile

700-1250 kms

Agni-2

Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

2000-3000 kms

Agni-3

Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

3000-4000 kms

Agni-4

Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

3500-5000 kms

Agni-5

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

5000-8000 kms

Agni-6

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

(Under Development)

8000-12000 kms

Agni P

Medium Range Ballistic Missile

1000-2000 kms

Prithvi-1

Short Range Ballistic Missile

150 kms

Prithvi-2

Short Range Ballistic Missile

350 kms

Prithvi-3

Short Range Ballistic Missile

350-600 kms

Dhanush

Variant of Prithvi-3

Anti Ship Ballistic Missile

350-600 kms

Prahaar

Tactical Ballistic Missile

150 kms

Nirbhay

Subsonic Cruise Missile

1000-1500 kms

BrahMos

Supersonic Cruise Missile

290 kms

Brahmos-2

Hypersonic Cruise Missile

(Under Development)

600-1000 kms

Nag (Prospina)

Anti Tank Guided Missile

500 m-20 kms

Check the list of other missiles of India Here!

Additional Information
  • Agni vs Brahmos- Agni is an inter-continental ballistic missile, while BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile.
  • Agni-5 is currently the longest-range missile in India, with a range of 5000 to 8000 km, and it can carry conventional and nuclear warheads.
  • Prithvi is India’s first surface-to-surface missile, developed in 1988.
  • Brahmos is the fastest missile in the world. India and Russia jointly develop it, and it can travel at a speed of around Mach-3. 
  • Agni 5 speed can reach an exceptional Mach 24 speed which is 29,401 km/h.

Conclusion

Missile Systems serve as the backbone of the defense apparatus of any country around the world. ThereforeIndia has developed the state-of-the-art surface-to-surface missile apparatus capable of launching nuclear warheads. Today India can launch missiles from various platforms and has a variety of missiles in its arsenal ranging from strategic inter-continental ballistic missiles like Agni-5 to tactical supersonic missiles like BrahMos. The missile prowess of India is critical for the country's national security as it effectively deters the hostile neighborhood countries like Pakistan and China and successfully defends the land and maritime border of our country.

Hopefully, this article by Testbook has answered all your questions regarding the topic- Surface to Surface Missiles. Here at Testbook, we are making constant endeavors to provide you with the best quality study material with all the current updates to help you in your exam preparations. Testbook provides online classes, test series, and study notes at the lowest prices. Download the Testbook App now!

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Surface to Surface Missile FAQs

Yes, Agni is a surface to surface ballistic missile. It has five variants. Agni-6 and Agni-P are in the developmental stage.

India's first missile Prithvi was developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Agni was first launched on 5 October 2007 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

India has a wide range of surface to surface missiles including the Agni series, Prithvi series, Brahmos, Nag, Prahar, Shaurya, Nirbhay, Dhanush.

The full form of DRDO is Defence Research and Development Organization and it was established in 1958. DRDO works under the Ministry of Defence.
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