Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme: Difference between revisions

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}}</ref> The project started in 1982–83 under the leadership of [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam|Abdul Kalam]] who oversaw its ending in 2008 after these strategic missiles were successfully developed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=2022-08-15 |title=From Agni to BrahMos: A look at India’s deadly missile arsenal |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-instruments-of-skyfall-how-missiles-shaped-75-years-of-india-2629276/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref>

On 8 January 2008, the DRDO formally announced the successful rated guided missile programme was completed with its design objectives achieved since most of the missiles in the programme had been developed and inducted by the [[Indian armed forces|Indian Armed Forces]].<ref name="hindu-igmdp-over">{{cite news

| title = India scraps integrated guided missile programme

| newspaper = [[The Hindu]]

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'''Akash''' (Sanskrit: आकाश meaning ''Sky'') is a medium-range surface-to-air missile developed as part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme to achieve self-sufficiency in the area of surface-to-air missiles. It is the most expensive missile project ever undertaken by the Union government in the 20th century. Development costs skyrocketed to almost {{USD}}120 million, which is far more than other similar systems.<ref name=trishul_shut>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/27trishul.htm "India Shuts Down Trishul Missile Project" ] ''[[Rediff.com]]'' 27 February 2008</ref>

Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile with an intercept range of 30&nbsp;km. It has a launch weight of 720&nbsp;kg, a diameter of 35&nbsp;cm and a length of 5.8 metres. Akash flies at [[supersonic]] speed, reaching around [[Mach number|Mach]] 2.5. It can reach an altitude of 18&nbsp;km. A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 55&nbsp;kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated. It is propelled by a solid fuelled booster stage. The missile has a terminal guidance system capable of working through [[electronic countermeasures]]. The entire Akash SAM system allows for attacking multiple targets (up to 4 per battery). The Akash missile's use of [[ramjet]] propulsion system allows it to maintain its speed without deceleration, unlike the [[MIM-104 Patriot|Patriot missiles]].<ref>T.S. Subramanian (11 December 2005) [https://web.archive.org/web/20051212070048/http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/11/stories/2005121102871000.htm "Akash missile achieves a milestone"] ''[[The Hindu]]'.' Retrieved 18 October 2006.</ref> The missile is supported by a multi-target and multi-function [[phased array]] fire control [[radar]] called the '[[Rajendra Radar|Rajendra]]' with a range of about 80&nbsp;km in search, and 60&nbsp;km in terms of engagement.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/akash.htm Global Security.Org] article ''accessed'' 18 October 2006.</ref>

The missile is completely guided by the radar, without any active guidance of its own. This allows it greater capability against jamming as the aircraft self-protection jammer would have to work against the high-power Rajendra, and the aircraft being attacked is not alerted by any terminal seeker on the Akash itself.

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[[File:Nag with NAMICA Defexpo-2008.JPG|thumb|[[Nag Missile]]]]

'''Nag''' ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]: नाग meaning ''cobra'') is India's third generation "[[Firefire-and-forget]]" [[Anti-tank guided missile|anti-tank missile]]. It is an all weather, [[top attack]] missile with a range of 0.5 to 4&nbsp;km.

The missile uses an 8&nbsp;kg [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) [[tandem warhead]] capable of defeating modern armour including [[Explosive reactive armour#Explosive reactive armour|Explosiveexplosive Reactivereactive Armourarmour]] (ERA) and [[composite armour]]. Nag uses [[infrared homing|Imagingimaging Infrainfra-Redred (IIR)]] guidance with day and night capability. Mode of launch for the IIR seeker is LOBL (lock-on before launch). Nag can be mounted on an infantry vehicle; a helicopter launched version will also be available with integration work being carried out with the [[HAL Dhruv]].

Separate versions for the Army and the Air Force are being developed. For the Army, the missiles will be carried by specialist carrier vehicles (NAMICA-Nag Missile Carrier) equipped with a [[thermographic camera]] for target acquisition. NAMICA is a modified [[BMP-2]] [[infantry fighting vehicle]] licence produced as "Sarath" in India. The carriers are capable of carrying four ready-to-fire missiles in the observation/launch platform which can be elevated with more missiles available for reload within the carrier. For the Air Force, a nose-mounted thermal imaging system has been developed for guiding the missile's trajectory "Helina". The missile has a completely [[fiberglass]] structure and weighs around 42&nbsp;kg.

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Nag was test fired for the 45th time on 19 March 2005 from the Test Range at [[Ahmednagar]] ([[Maharashtra]]), signalling the completion of the developmental phase. It will now enter the production phase, subject to user trials and acceptance by the [[Indian Army]].

Further versions of the missile may make use of an all-weather [[Extremely high frequency|Millimilli-metre Wavewave]] (mmWMMW) seeker as an additional option. This seeker has reportedly been developed and efforts are on to integrate it into the missile.

==See also==