The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1958 through the amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment, Directorate of Technical Development and Production, and the Defence Science Organisation under the Ministry of Defence. In 1983, DRDO sanctioned the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), spearheaded by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, which achieved indigenous capability across five core missile systems under the acronym PATNA: Prithvi (surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile), Agni (surface-to-surface medium-to-intercontinental ballistic missile), Trishul (short-range surface-to-air missile), Nag (third-generation anti-tank guided missile with imaging infrared seeker), and Akash (medium-range surface-to-air missile utilizing ramjet propulsion). Modern Indian missile architecture includes the Agni-V Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (range >5,000 km) with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology flight-tested under Mission Divyastra in 2024. DRDO co-developed the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (Mach 2.8 to 3.0) via an Indo-Russian joint venture between DRDO and NPOM. India's two-tiered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield integrates Prithvi Air Defence (PAD/Pradyumna) for exo-atmospheric interception (50–80 km altitude) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD/Ashwin) for endo-atmospheric interception (15–30 km altitude), supplemented by Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), sanctioned in 1983 under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, developed five missile systems: Prithvi (SSBM), Agni (IRBM/ICBM), Trishul (SRSAM), Nag (ATGM), and Akash (MRSAM).
Agni-V is a three-stage solid-fuel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with an operational range exceeding 5,000 km, successfully tested with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) in March 2024 under Mission Divyastra.
BrahMos is a two-stage supersonic cruise missile (Mach 2.8–3.0) developed jointly by DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, capable of universal launch from land, air, ships, and submarines.
India's Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) network incorporates a two-layer interception architecture: Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for exo-atmospheric threats (above 50 km) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for endo-atmospheric threats (below 30 km).
Nag is a fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with a tandem HEAT warhead, operating via imaging infrared (IIR) guidance with dedicated carrier variants including NAMICA (tracked) and HELINA/Dhruvastra (air-launched from HAL Dhruv/Prachand).
Showing 25 Curated Questions478 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-DEF-00053
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
What does the acronym "DRDO" stand for in India's defence ecosystem?
Verified Explanation
DRDO was formed in 1958 by amalgamating the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production.
2ID: GK-DEF-00164
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
What is the name of the multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system developed by DRDO, named after Lord Shiva's bow?
Verified Explanation
The Pinaka MBRL system can fire a salvo of 12 high-explosive rockets in 44 seconds, developed by DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).
3ID: GK-DEF-00165
mediumMissiles Drdo Systems
What class of missile is DRDO's 'Astra'?
Verified Explanation
Astra is an all-weather beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by DRDO to engage supersonic enemy fighters at ranges exceeding 100 km.
4ID: GK-DEF-00207
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
Which medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by DRDO protects against aircraft and drones at ranges of up to 25-30 km?
Verified Explanation
Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by DRDO with Rajendra multi-function radar, inducted into both the Indian Army and Air Force.
5ID: GK-DEF-00262
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India (DRDO) and which other country?
Verified Explanation
BrahMos was developed through a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPO Mashinostroyeniya of Russia, named after Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.
6ID: GK-DEF-00365
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
Which medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by DRDO has an operational range of 25–30 km and is named after the Sanskrit word for 'Sky'?
Verified Explanation
Akash is an all-weather medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by DRDO with Rajendra 3D radar for air defense.
7ID: GK-DEF-00368
mediumMissiles Drdo Systems
What is the name of India's indigenous Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed by DRDO for Sukhoi Su-30MKI and LCA Tejas fighters?
Verified Explanation
Astra is an all-weather beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by DRDO capable of engaging maneuvering supersonic aerial targets.
8ID: GK-DEF-00474
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is a joint venture between India's DRDO and which foreign partner organization?
Verified Explanation
BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.
9ID: GK-DEF-00478
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
Which surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by DRDO has an operational range of around 25 to 30 km and is named after the Hindi word for sky?
Verified Explanation
Akash is an indigenous medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defence system developed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
10ID: GK-DEF-00483
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
Which third-generation 'fire-and-forget' anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) was developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme?
Verified Explanation
Nag is a third-generation, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile developed by DRDO with an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker.
11ID: GK-DEF-00599
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
Which surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by DRDO has a strike range of ~25 km and can track up to 64 targets simultaneously using Rajendra radar?
Verified Explanation
Akash is an all-weather medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed under DRDO's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
12ID: GK-DEF-00634
hardMissiles Drdo Systems
What is the acronym for DRDO's Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle, successfully tested at speeds of Mach 6 using an indigenous scramjet engine in September 2020?
Verified Explanation
The Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) developed by DRDO validated hypersonic combustion and scramjet technologies at Mach 6.
13ID: GK-DEF-00054
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
Which supersonic cruise missile, developed jointly by India (DRDO) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyeniya), travels at Mach 2.8–3.0 and is named after two rivers?
Verified Explanation
BrahMos can be launched from land, ships, submarines, and Su-30MKI fighter jets, making it the world's fastest operational cruise missile in service.
14ID: GK-DEF-00063
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
What was the ambitious missile development initiative launched by DRDO in 1983 under the leadership of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, which produced Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, and Nag missiles?
Verified Explanation
IGMDP achieved critical self-reliance in missile propulsion, guidance systems, and re-entry heat shields, earning Dr. Kalam the title "Missile Man of India".
15ID: GK-DEF-00064
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
What is the name of India's indigenous 3rd-generation "Fire-and-Forget" Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) developed by DRDO, equipped with an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker?
Verified Explanation
Nag destroys advanced battle tanks protected by explosive reactive armour (ERA) from top-attack and direct-attack trajectories with a range up to 4 km.
16ID: GK-DEF-00073
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
What is the name of India's indigenous Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system developed by DRDO, capable of engaging multiple aerial targets simultaneously using phased-array Rajendra radar?
Verified Explanation
Akash travels at supersonic speeds of Mach 2.5 to intercept enemy fighter jets, drones, and cruise missiles up to a range of 25–30 km.
17ID: GK-DEF-00074
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
What is the name of India's indigenous Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed by DRDO for integration on Su-30MKI, LCA Tejas, and MiG-29 fighter jets?
Verified Explanation
Astra features advanced Ku-band active radar homing and smokeless solid propellant propulsion, outmatching contemporary Western and Russian air-to-air missiles.
18ID: GK-DEF-00084
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
What is the multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system developed by DRDO's ARDE Pune, named after the divine bow of Lord Shiva, capable of firing 12 rockets in 44 seconds?
Verified Explanation
Pinaka was combat-proven during the 1999 Kargil War for neutralizing Pakistani mountain bunker fortifications with devastating saturating artillery fire.
19ID: GK-DEF-00094
mediumMissiles Drdo Systems
The "K-4" submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), developed by DRDO for deployment on Arihant-class nuclear submarines, possesses what range and guidance system?
Verified Explanation
The K-4 enables Indian nuclear submarines in the Bay of Bengal to maintain credible second-strike deterrence across all potential regional adversaries.
20ID: GK-DEF-00104
mediumMissiles Drdo Systems
The "Barak-8" (Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile - LRSAM / MRSAM), developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), provides point and area defence against incoming sea-skimming anti-ship missiles using what seeker?
Verified Explanation
Installed on Kolkata and Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, Barak-8 intercepts airborne threats at ranges up to 70–100 km.
21ID: GK-DEF-00113
mediumMissiles Drdo Systems
The "Nirbhay" subsonic cruise missile, developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), features what flight profile and range capability?
Verified Explanation
Equipped with small deployable wings and an indigenous Manik turbofan engine, Nirbhay can loiter over targets and strike with 24 different warhead configurations.
22ID: GK-DEF-00114
mediumMissiles Drdo Systems
The "QRSAM" (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile), developed by DRDO for the Indian Army's strike corps, is designed for what specific battlefield role?
Verified Explanation
QRSAM operates from fully automated mobile canistered launchers mounted on high-mobility 8×8 trucks, engaging targets within seconds of detection.
23ID: GK-DEF-00123
mediumMissiles Drdo Systems
The "SMART" (Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo) system, successfully tested by DRDO off the Odisha coast, is engineered for what specialized naval warfare role?
Verified Explanation
The canisterized missile carries a parachuted lightweight torpedo that deploys into the ocean near the detected enemy submarine, activating active acoustic homing.
24ID: GK-DEF-00133
hardMissiles Drdo Systems
The "Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle" (HSTDV), successfully flight-tested by DRDO in September 2020 off the APJ Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island), achieved autonomous scramjet-powered flight at what speed and altitude?
Verified Explanation
HSTDV tests proved India's technological mastery of aerodynamic air intake, high-temperature thermal materials, and fuel injection in supersonic airflow within milliseconds.
25ID: GK-DEF-00162
easyMissiles Drdo Systems
Which supersonic cruise missile was developed through a joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyeniya)?
Verified Explanation
BrahMos, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0 and can be launched from land, ships, submarines, and aircraft.