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Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam wasn’t just any scientist; he was the driving force behind some of the most critical advancements in India's defense technology, earning him the well-deserved nickname, “Missile Man of India.” But how did a humble son of a boat owner from Tamil Nadu rise to revolutionise India’s missile capabilities?<br /><br />It all began when he joined the <keyword id="19896088" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Defence-Research-and-Development-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Defence Research and Development Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Defence Research and Development Organisation">Defence Research and Development Organisation</keyword> (DRDO) and later the <keyword id="19915130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Space-Research-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Space Research Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Space Research Organisation">Indian Space Research Organisation</keyword> (ISRO). It was here that Kalam's deep understanding of rocketry and aerospace engineering began to take shape. His work with India’s first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-III, laid the foundation for his transition into missile development.<br /><br />Kalam's pivotal role in leading the <keyword id="23558683" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Integrated-Guided-Missile-Development-Program" source="keywords">Integrated Guided Missile Development Program</keyword> (IGMDP) is where he truly made history. This program was responsible for the creation of several of India’s most powerful missiles — some of which are still considered game-changers in the defense world today. Under his leadership, India’s missile defense strategy went from practically nonexistent to highly capable, establishing the country as a force to be reckoned with.<br /><h2><keyword id="22799891" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agni-missiles" source="keywords">Agni missiles</keyword></h2>Among his most notable creations is the Agni series. Considered the big leagues in the world of short to medium range ballistic missiles, the first within its series was developed after the Indo-Pakistan Kargil war. The Agni I, for example, has a range of about 700 to 1,200 kilometers. That’s comparable to firing a missile from Mumbai and hitting targets well into Pakistan. The real kicker? It can carry a 2,500 kg nuclear warhead, what India has affectionately termed a “credible deterrent”.<br /><br />The weight of the warhead directly correlates to the missile's destructive potential. A heavier warhead usually contains more explosive material or larger payloads, which increases its ability to cause widespread damage. This is particularly important for missiles like the Agni series, where the intent is to act as a deterrent.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114227840" title="As a warning, China sent warplanes and warships, including its first aircraft carrier, to practice assaulting Taiwan" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Building upon the success of the first iteration, the Agni II boasted an even more impressive range of 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers. This nuclear-equipped missile was capable, fast, terrifyingly accurate, and likely helped significantly affect the strategic dynamics of India with neighbouring countries such as China. With a warhead of 1000kg, it was deadly — if needed to be. Both of these missiles are rail and road-mobile, meaning that they can be transported across the country for launch.<br /><h2>Prithvi close-range missiles</h2>But it wasn't just long-range nukes that Kalam worked on. He also turned his attention to tactical, battlefield missiles like the Prithvi series. The <keyword id="23558684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prithvi-missiles" source="keywords">Prithvi missiles</keyword> are somewhat different — they're designed for close-range engagements, acting almost like a heavyweight punch in a tactical fight. The Prithvi I can travel 150 kilometers and is perfect for battlefield dominance, carrying a huge 1,000-kilogram payload. That’s the equivalent of launching an entire small car into enemy territory at speeds of Mach 2.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Prithvi II, with its slightly extended range of 250 kilometers, helped provide additional flexibility to the Indian Air Force. These missiles might not have the range of the Agni series, but they hit hard and fast — similar to the Russian Iskander missile system in terms of their tactical role on the battlefield.<br /><h2>Akash SAM</h2>The <keyword id="23558685" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Akash-missiles" source="keywords">Akash missiles</keyword> are a surface-to-air missile (SAM) that operates like a protective umbrella for India’s skies. This missile can engage multiple targets at once and hit them from 25 kilometers away, and was made agile enough to shoot down incoming enemy planes, helicopters, or even drones. So far, the Indian forces have built over 3,500 of them.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111540369" title="Israel is inching toward a wider war and a nasty fight against an enemy poised to bombard it as no other foe has" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>While some compare the Akash missiles to Israel’s Iron Dome system, there are some notable differences. Both systems are designed to neutralise aerial threats before they can hit their targets, but their primary roles differ slightly. The Iron Dome is specifically optimised for intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells, with a success rate that has exceeded 90% in combat situations. Many compare it akin to a highly responsive shield that reacts quickly to immediate missile threats, particularly in urban areas.<br /><br />In contrast, while the Akash missile also intercepts aerial threats, it focuses more on engaging enemy aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. The Akash's strength lies in its ability to handle multiple threats simultaneously with a rapid response time, similar to the Iron Dome, but with a broader focus on a variety of high-speed airborne targets rather than just short-range rockets.<br /><h2>Nag anti-tank missiles</h2>One of the more specialised missiles Dr. Kalam worked on was the Nag, designed for taking out tanks. Its fire-and-forget technology locks onto an armored tank, flies up, and dives down to strike the tank’s weakest spot from above, punching through even the most advanced armor.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114151124" title="Getting more F-16s is only half the battle. Ukraine also desperately needs to be training more pilots." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>With a range of about 4 kilometers, the Nag is perfect for day or night use, and its laser-guided precision makes it a must-have for the Indian Army. When compared to international anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), such as the US's Javelin or Israel’s Spike, the Nag is just as deadly — albeit with a shorter range — providing India with a cutting-edge weapon for modern warfare. However, the Nag's specific design for India’s diverse battlefield conditions, including its deployment on the NAMICA (<keyword id="23558686" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nag-missile" source="keywords">Nag Missile</keyword> Carrier), provides it with excellent mobility and flexibility, especially in rough terrains.<br /><br />Dr. Kalam’s genius lay not just in the missiles he helped develop, but in his strategic vision. Today, India stands as one of the few nations with highly capable, indigenously developed missile technology, largely thanks to Kalam’s contributions.<br />

Missile Man of India: How powerful were the missiles developed by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam?

<strong><br /></strong><ul><li><strong><keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> successfully tested its <keyword id="2216617" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prithvi-Defence-Vehicle">Prithvi Defence Vehicle</keyword> (<keyword id="4163592" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="PDV">PDV</keyword>) last night which is a part of its two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence Program (BMD).</strong></li><li><strong>PDV, in particular, is a missle that engages targets 50 kms above the Earth’s atmosphere.<br /></strong></li><li><strong>Earlier reports suggest that the PDV could potentially replace the existing combination of missiles.</strong></li></ul>Tensions are at a precarious point where China, Russia, the United States, Japan and, of course, India are in an arms race to beef up their economic and military arsenals. India’s newest milestone is a <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-tests-interceptor-missile-that-can-engage-targets-above-atmosphere-1920981">successful test</a> of the the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) off the eastern coast of the country. This is a part of India's two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence Program (BMD).<br /><br />Originally <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/drdo-readies-shield-against-chinese-icbms-41421-2009-03-09">announced</a> in 2009 as a defence requirement against China’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the PDV engages targets in the Earth’s exo-atmosphere. Targets are usually at an altitude that’s nearly 50 km above the Earth’s atmosphere.<br /><br />India conducted its test at around 8PM on 23 September from <keyword id="3038338" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Abdul-Kalam-Island">Abdul Kalam Island</keyword> off the coast of the Odisha, a state on the eastern border of India.<br /><br /><div type="image" title="Mahogany Photo Simple Flowcharts(2)" msid="65933731" hostid="261"></div>

<br /><strong>India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Program<br /></strong><br />The PDV and Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) work together to destroy missiles at exo-atmospheric altitudes, and the Ashivin Advanced Defence (AAD) is in place to intercept missiles within the atmosphere at heights of 20-40kms. <br /><br />So, the BMD system, as of now, can allegedly target medium range ballistic missiles that are travelling between the speeds of Mach 3 and Mach 8. <br /><br />When the PDV was originally tested in 2014, it missed its target though the launch was still considered a success by the DRDO scientists at that time. During the second test in 2017, reports claimed that the target was destroyed at 100kms. <br /><br />That being said, India is also <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2016/10/india-and-russia-ink-s-400-missile-air-defense-system-deal/">speculated</a> to have signed a deal for Russian-made S-400 Triumf advanced air defense systems, or SA-21 Growlers. The reports also suggest that the S-400’s in combination with the 40N6 <keyword id="839167" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="surface-to-air-missile">surface-to-air missile</keyword>, will be superior to what the PDV can accomplish.<br /><br />In a nuclear arms’ competition, BDM systems play a pivotal role in rendering the opposition obsolete. And, while we understand how the missile works, its true test would be in actual combat conditions. <br /><br />India’s BDM system puts it in an exclusive group with the United States, Russia, France, Israel and China. These are the only countries in the world with a developed missile defence system. <br />

India strengthens its Ballistic Missile Defence Program with a successful interceptor missile test

<ul><li>China ranked second in military spending with military outlays totalling up to $261 billion. Whereas, India ranks third with military outlays totalling to $71.1 billion.</li><li>China ranks third in aircraft strength with 3,210 aircraft in comparison to India which ranks fourth with 2,123 aircraft.</li><li>India’s DRDO has been conducting trials of ballistic missile Prithvi-1 which has 150 km-range, and Prithvi-2 with 250 km-range.</li></ul>In 2020, China had the largest active military force in the world, with about 2.18 million active troops. India, the United States, North Korea, and Russia rounded out the top five countries with the largest active-duty military forces, according to <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/264443/the-worlds-largest-armies-based-on-active-force-level/">Statista</a>.<br /><br />China ranked second in military spending, as it has done since 2008 with military outlays totalling up to $261 billion. Whereas, India ranks third with military outlays totalling to $71.1 billion, according to <a href="https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2020/global-military-expenditure-sees-largest-annual-increase-decade-says-sipri-reaching-1917-billion#:~:text=Global%20military%20expenditure%20sees%20largest%20annual%20increase%20in%20a%20decade,reaching%20%241917%20billion%20in%202019&amp;text=(Stockholm%2C%2027%20April%202020),Peace%20Research%20Institute%20(SIPRI).">Stockholm International Peace Research Institute</a>.<br /><br />          <div type="image" title="snapshot-1592381467717" msid="76421306" hostid="261"></div><br />China ranks third in aircraft strength, according to <a href="https://www.globalfirepower.com/aircraft-total.asp">Global firepower.</a> It has 3,210 aircraft in comparison to India which ranks fourth with 2,123 aircraft. Most importantly, China has two times the number of fighters and interceptors than India. It also has 507 serviceable airports compared to 346 airports in India.<br />          <div type="image" title="Air force plane" msid="76421552" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;An Indian Air Force fighter jet touches down on the Agra Lucknow Expressway on Monday NOVEMBER 21, 2016 &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br /><br />China’s tank strength stands at 3,200 plus compared to India’s stupendous 4,200 plus, according to <a href="https://www.globalfirepower.com/aircraft-total.asp">Global firepower.</a> But China’s armoured fighting vehicles are at a staggering 33,000, and India pales into insignificance with just over 8,600.<br /><br />          <div type="image" title="Indian army tank" msid="76421538" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In an impressive display of capabilities of mechanised warfare platforms in the arsenal of Indian mechanised forces,&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br /><br />According to the recent data, China has ten times more rocket projectors at 2650 than India’s 266. It also has a total of 777 naval assets compared to 285 in India, with 74 submarines versus 16 owned by India. China also has 36 destroyers compared to 11 owned by India.<br /><br />          <div type="image" title="submarine" msid="76421522" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;PREPARATION TO BE COMMISSIONING INS KHANDERI THE 2ND KALVARI - CLASS SCORPENE SUBMARINE ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 AT NAVAL DOCK (PUBLISHED IN PAGE... .7... OF TOI MUMBAI DATED SEPTEMBER 27, 2019)&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />India’s DRDO has been conducting trials of ballistic missile Prithvi-1 which has 150 km-range, and Prithvi-2 with 250 km-range whereas China has various ballistic missiles, ranging from short-range missiles to <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Communist-China-at-70/China-unveils-ICBM-capable-of-reaching-US-with-10-warheads">Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles</a> (ICBMs).<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/the-boycott-of-chinas-products-will-be-easier-said-than-done-smartphones-acs-and-cars-will-become-more-expensive/articleshow/76419573.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The boycott of China’s products will be easier said than done –⁠ smartphones, ACs and cars will become more expensive</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/the-chinese-army-statement-claims-sovereignty-over-galwan-valley-and-does-not-disclose-the-number-of-casualties/articleshow/76417705.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Chinese army statement claims sovereignty over Galwan Valley and does not disclose the number of casualties</a><br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/checkout-the-top-10-popular-chinese-apps-in-india-in-2020/slidelist/76253572.cms"><strong>Top 10 popular chinese apps in India</strong></a><br />

You Searched For "Prithvi Defence Vehicle" and got 3 results

Missile Man of India: How powerful were the missiles developed by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam?

Ankush Banerjee

India strengthens its Ballistic Missile Defence Program with a successful interceptor missile test

Prabhjote Gill

The strength of India and China’s defence forces compared

Navdeep Yadav

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