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India’s Missile Systems - Ballistic Missile vs. Cruise Missile

Ballistic Missile vs. Cruise Missile

The terms ‘ballistic missile’ and ‘cruise missile’ appear in news articles wherever there is a missile test. It is essential for us to understand these terms to understand various Indian missile defence systems 

(Representative image)

Ballistic Missile

  • A ballistic missile follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver one or more warheads on a predetermined target.

  • A ballistic trajectory is the path of an object that is launched but has no active propulsion during its actual flight (these weapons are guided only during relatively brief periods of flight).
  • Consequently, the trajectory is fully determined by a given initial velocity, effects of gravity, air resistance, and motion of the earth (Coriolis Force).
  • Shorter range ballistic missiles stay within the Earth’s atmosphere.

    Image Credits: Wikipedia

  • Longer-ranged intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), are launched on a sub-orbital flight trajectory and spend most of their flight out of the atmosphere.

Types of ballistic missiles based on the range


  • Short-range (tactical) ballistic missile (SRBM): Range between 300 km and 1,000 km.
  • Medium-range (theatre) ballistic missile (MRBM): 1,000 km to 3,500 km.
  • Intermediate-range (Long-Range) ballistic missile (IRBM or LRBM): 3,500 km and 5,500 km.
  • Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): 5,500 km +

Cruise missile


  • A cruise missile is a guided missile (target has to be pre-set) used against terrestrial targets.
  • It remains in the atmosphere throughout its flight.
  • It flies the major portion of its flight path at approximately constant speed.
  • Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high precision.
  • Modern cruise missiles are capable of travelling at supersonic or high subsonic speeds, are self-navigating, and are  able to fly on a non-ballistic, extremely low-altitude trajectory.

Types of cruise missiles based on speed

  • Hypersonic (Mach 5): these missiles would travel at least five times the speed of sound (Mach 5). E.g. BrahMos-II.
  • Supersonic (Mach 2-3): these missiles travel faster than the speed of sound. E.g. BrahMos.
  • Subsonic (Mach 0.8): these missiles travel slower than the speed of sound. E.g. Nirbhay.

Differences between Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

  • IGMDP was conceived by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in missile technology.
  • IGMDP was conceived in response to the Missile Technology Control Regime that decided to restrict access to any technology that would help India in its missile development program.
  • To counter the MTCR, the IGMDP team formed a consortium of DRDO laboratories, industries and academic institutions to build these sub-systems, components and materials.
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

  • MTCR an informal grouping established in 1987 by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.
  • The MTCR seeks to limit the risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
  • MTCR places particular focus on rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles capable of delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to a range of at least 300 km.
  • The MTCR is not a treaty and does not impose any legally binding obligations.
  • IGMDP was started in 1983 and completed in March 2012.
  • Keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the defence forces, the development of five missile systems was taken up.

  1.   Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile (Prithivi means Earth Surface to Surface)
  2.   Agni: Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile
  3.   Trishul: Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile
  4.   Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile (Akash means Sky Surface to Air)
  5.   Nag: Third generation anti-tank missile (Nag means Snake Nag slithers like a Snake to hit a tank!)

  • After its success, the Agni missile program was separated from the IGMDP upon realizing its strategic importance.

India’s Missile Systems

SLBM: Sub-marine launched ballistic missile

Missile And Features

Astra
  • Astra is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM).
  • In terms of size and weight, the Astra is the smallest missile developed by the DRDO.
  • It was envisaged to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds.
Trishul
  • Used as anti-sea skimmer (to fly low to avoid radar) from ships against low-flying attacks.
Akash
  • It has the capability to “neutralize aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles” as well as ballistic missiles.
PAD
  • Anti-ballistic missile developed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere (exo-atmospheric).
Nag
  • 3rd generation anti-tank ‘fire and forget’ guided missile (lock-on before launch system) where the target is identified and designated before the weapon is launched.
Prahaar
  • High manoeuvrability.
  • Primarily a battlefield support system for the Army.
BrahMos
  • It is a supersonic cruise missile developed as a joint venture between Indian and Russia.
  • It is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world.
  • It is the world’s fastest anti-ship cruise missile in operation.
Nirbhay
  • Subsonic missile which is ancillary (providing necessary support) to the BrahMos range.
K-15 Sagarika
  • It forms the crucial third leg of India’s nuclear deterrent vis-à-vis its submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) capability.
  • It was subsequently integrated with India’s nuclear-powered Arihant class submarine.
Dhanush
  • It is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
  • It carries forward the legacy of the K-15 Sagarika.
Shaurya
  • Surface-to-surface ballistic missile (SSM) variant of the K-15 Sagarika.
  • The nuclear capability of the missile enhances India’s second-strike capability.
  • It reduces the dependence on the K-15 which was built with Russian assistance.

Prithvi Missiles

All the Prithvi variants are surface-to-surface SRBMs.

Agni Missiles

MIRV: Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle

Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT)

  • In March 2019, India successfully tested its ASAT missile.
  • The ASAT missile destroyed a live satellite in Low Earth orbit (283-kilometre).
  • As per DRDO, the missile is capable of shooting down targets moving at a speed of 10 km per second at an altitude as high as 1200 km. 

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