Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Context: Recently, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the RudraM-II air-to-surface missile from a Su-30 MK-I aircraft of the Indian Air Force off the Odisha coast.
About RudraM-II
RudraM-II is an indigenously developed solid-propelled air-launched missile designed for air-to-surface operations by the DRDO. Following the successful 2020 test of RudraM, a new-generation anti-radiation missile (NGARM) and the first indigenous ARM of the Indian Air Force, RudraM-II is equipped with an Inertial Navigation System (INS), Global Positioning System (GPS), and a Passive Homing Head (PHH). The PHH can detect, classify, and engage targets across a wide frequency band.
Types of Missiles Used by Indian Military
| Missile Type | Name(s) | Description |
| Ballistic Missiles | Agni Series, Prithvi | Long-range missiles capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads. |
| Cruise Missiles | BrahMos, Nirbhay | Subsonic and supersonic missiles for precision strikes, BrahMos being the fastest supersonic cruise missile. |
| Anti-Tank Missiles | Nag, HELINA, MPATGM | Designed to destroy tanks and armoured vehicles. |
| Surface-to-Air Missiles | Akash, Barak-8 | Used for air defence to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft and missiles. |
| Air-to-Air Missiles | Astra, Python-5 | Fired from aircraft to target enemy aircraft. |
| Anti-Ship Missiles | BrahMos, Dhanush | Used to target and destroy enemy ships and naval vessels. |
| Anti-Radiation Missiles | RudraM, NGARM | Designed to detect and destroy enemy radar installations. |
| Surface-to-Surface Missiles | Prahaar, Shaurya | Short to medium-range missiles for targeting enemy installations and strategic points on the ground. |
| Submarine-launched ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) | K-15 Sagarika, K-4 | Launched from submarines for nuclear deterrence. |
| Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) | Igla-S, Starstreak | Portable systems for targeting low-flying aircraft and helicopters. |
Source: PIB
