India has successfully test-fired its first indigenous anti-radiation missile, the Rudram-1, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
About Rudram-1 Missile:
General Information:
- Type: Air-to-surface missile
- Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Launch Platform: Integrated with the IAF’s Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets
Features:
- Indigenous Development: It is India’s first indigenous anti-radiation missile.
- Navigation Systems: Equipped with Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and GPS
for accurate targeting. - Homing Capability: Features a Passive Homing Head for the final attack
phase, ensuring precision in hitting radiation-emitting targets. - Technological Edge: INS-GPS navigation allows targeting over a wide range of frequencies, enhancing its effectiveness.
Range and Speed:
- Altitude Flexibility: Can be launched from altitudes ranging from 500 meters to 15 kilometers.
- Range: Capable of striking targets up to 250 kilometers away, depending on launch conditions.
- Speed: Achieves speeds of up to Mach 2.
Operational Significance:
- Versatility: The missile’s flexibility in launch altitudes and ranges allows the IAF to adapt to various operational scenarios.
- Combat Effectiveness: Enhances combat effectiveness through precision targeting.
- SEAD Operations: Essential for Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) operations, enabling the destruction of enemy radars
and communication sites from long standoff distances.
The Rudram-1 missile represents a significant advancement in India’s indigenous defense capabilities, providing the IAF with a
sophisticated tool for enhancing its operational readiness and effectiveness.