Surya missile

The Surya missile is an intercontinental ballistic missile speculated to be in development by India.

Surya ICBM
TypeIntercontinental ballistic missile[1]
Place of originIndia
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Specifications
Mass~55,000 kg
Effective firing range12,000km
Maximum firing range16,000km
Warhead3-10 MIRV warheads with yield 750 kt[2]
PropellantFirst/second stage solid, third liquid (or three stage solid)
Operational
range
~12,000-16,000 km[1]
Maximum speed Mach 29 (35,526 km/h)
Launch
platform
TEL

History

According to a 1995 report published in The Nonproliferation Review, Surya (meaning the Sun in Sanskrit and many Indian languages) is the codename for one of the Intercontinental ballistic missiles that India is reported to be developing, for which there is no formal statement from India.[3] The DRDO is believed to have begun the project in 1994. This report has not been confirmed by any other sources until 2010.[4].

According to the report, the Surya is an intercontinental-range, surface-based, solid and liquid propellant ballistic missile. The report further adds that Surya is the most ambitious project in India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The surya missile is more of strategic in nature due to its capabilities and thus gives enemy mutually assured destruction. The Surya is speculated to have a range of more than 12,000, which brings almost all major nations of the world in its range.[5][1]

It is to be a three-stage design, with the first two stages using solid propellants and the third-stage using liquid. The first stage is speculated to be borrowed from PSLV[4].

Development

According to a 2013 report by The New Indian Express, Surya missile is being developed confidentially under the code-name of Agni-VI.[6]

Speculated specifications
  • Class: ICBM
  • Lasing: Surface based, underwater based (in certain strategic areas) and submarine based is its most important aspect which may range above 15,000 km.
  • Length: 40.00 m.
  • Diameter: 1.1m.
  • Launch Weight: 55,000 kg.
  • Propulsion: First/second stage solid, third liquid.
  • Warhead Capabilities: 3-10 Strategic nuclear weapon warheads of 250-750 kilotons each.
  • Status: unconfirmed.
  • In Service: unconfirmed.

See also

References
  1. "Missile impossible: why the Agni-V falls short". rbth. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  2. N. Madhuprasad (25 August 2005). "Boost to Indian Armed Forces' Deterrence Arsenal; India to Develop Intercontinental Ballistic Missile". Bangalore Deccan Herald. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Surya ICBM. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
  4. "Is India developing a 12,000 kms range missile - Surya?" (PDF). 17 November 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  5. "Surya - India Missile Special Weapons Delivery Systems". Fas.org. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  6. "Stage set for longer range Surya". The New Indian Express. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
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