Complete List of Indian Missiles 2026: Agni, BrahMos, Prithvi Series with Ranges & Tables for MBA GK (XAT, SNAP, CAT)
The defence is an important and dynamic segment in most of the competitive exams with the General knowledge section. Questions about missiles are very commonly asked in these exams. Hence we have prepared a list of missiles of India that you can easily learn for your MBA GK section.
India's missile program is a powerhouse of DRDO innovation, powering national security with ballistic, cruise, SAM, ATGM, anti-ship, SLBM, and hypersonic tech. List of Indian missiles 2026 is crucial for MBA GK defence questions in XAT, SNAP, CAT exams. DRDO and BDL deliver strategic deterrence via Agni series missiles, supersonic BrahMos missile, and more
India's missile program is a testament to its advanced technological capabilities and its commitment to ensuring national security. Over the years, India has developed an extensive arsenal of missiles through organizations such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). These missiles serve various purposes, including strategic deterrence, battlefield support, and defense against external threats. Here's an in-depth look at the different types of missiles developed by India.
1. Ballistic Missiles
Ballistic missiles are designed for long-range targets and deliver payloads in a parabolic trajectory. India’s ballistic missile arsenal includes:
- Agni Series:
- Agni-I: Short-range ballistic missile with a range of 700-1,200 km.
- Agni-II: Medium-range missile with a range of 2,000-3,000 km.
- Agni-III: Intermediate-range ballistic missile with a 3,500-5,000 km range.
- Agni-IV: Enhanced range and accuracy, capable of striking targets up to 4,000 km away.
- Agni-V: India’s first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km, ensuring a strategic reach.
- Prithvi Series:
Short-range ballistic missiles, Prithvi variants serve as tactical weapons:- Prithvi-I: Army version with a range of 150 km.
- Prithvi-II: Air Force version with a range of 250-350 km.
- Prithvi-III: Naval variant with a range of 350-600 km.
| Missile | Range (km) | Key Features | Status/Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agni-V (Rank 1: ICBM) | 5,000+ | MIRV-capable, nuclear delivery; road/rail mobile. | Operational; 2024 tests confirmed 8,000 km reach. |
| Agni-VI (Rank 2) | 10,000+ (est.) | Under development; enhanced payload. | Trials ongoing. |
| Agni-P (Rank 3) | 1,000-2,000 | Advanced Agni-IV successor; canisterized for quick launch. | Inducted 2023; high accuracy. |
| Agni-IV | 4,000 | Improved navigation; strikes deep targets. | Fully operational. |
| Agni-III | 3,500-5,000 | Ring-laser gyro for precision. | Battle-ready. |
| Agni-II | 2,000-3,000 | Two-stage, solid-fueled. | Deployed with Army. |
| Agni-I | 700-1,200 | Short-range; mobile launcher. | Army mainstay. |
| Prithvi-III (Dhanush) | 350-600 | Naval variant; ship-launched. | Navy use. |
| Prithvi-II | 250-350 | Air Force liquid-fueled. | Phased in. |
| Prithvi-I | 150 | Army tactical; quick reaction. | Operational. |
2. Cruise Missiles
Cruise missiles are precision-guided and fly at low altitudes, making them difficult to detect. India's key cruise missiles include:
- BrahMos: Developed in collaboration with Russia, BrahMos is the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile. It has a range of about 400-500 km and can be launched from land, sea, air, and underwater platforms.
- Nirbhay: India’s subsonic cruise missile with a range of 1,000-1,500 km, designed for precision strikes.
| Missile | Range (km) | Speed | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrahMos (Rank 1) | 400-500 (extended to 800) | Supersonic (Mach 3) | Land/sea/air/submarine. |
| Nirbhay | 1,000-1,500 | Subsonic | Land/sea/air; indigenous engine tested 2025. |
3. Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs)
SAMs are critical for air defense, capable of neutralizing incoming threats like enemy aircraft and missiles. Notable examples are:
- Akash: A medium-range missile system with a range of 25-30 km.
- Barak-8: Jointly developed with Israel, it provides defense against aircraft and drones, with a range of 70-100 km.
- QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile): Designed for short-range air defense, this missile is highly mobile and agile.
| Missile | Range (km) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Barak-8 (MR-SAM/LR-SAM) (Rank 1) | 70-100 | Israel collab; anti-ship too. |
| Akash-NG | 40-50 | Next-gen; 360° coverage. |
| QRSAM | 25-30 | Mobile, quick-reaction. |
| Akash | 25-30 | Indigenous; army/air force. |
4. Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)
India has developed a range of ATGMs to strengthen its ground forces:
- Nag: A "fire-and-forget" missile designed to destroy enemy tanks and fortified positions.
- Helina: Helicopter-launched version of Nag, used for precision strikes.
| Missile | Range (km) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nag (Rank 1) | 4-7 | Fire-and-forget; wire-guided. |
| Helina/Dhruvastra | 7-10 | Helicopter-launched Nag variant. |
5. Anti-Ship Missiles
India’s anti-ship missiles enhance its naval capabilities:
- Dhanush: Naval variant of the Prithvi missile, designed to target enemy ships.
- BrahMos: Versatile and highly effective against naval targets.
6. Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs)
SLBMs are vital for a robust nuclear triad. India’s SLBMs include:
- K-15 Sagarika: A missile with a range of 750 km, deployed on the INS Arihant.
- K-4: An intermediate-range missile with a range of 3,500 km, ensuring second-strike capability.
| Missile | Range (km) | Submarine |
|---|---|---|
| K-4 (Rank 1) | 3,500 | Arihant-class. |
| K-15 (Sagarika) | 750 | Short-range. |
| K-5 (emerging) | 5,000+ | In trials. |
7. Hypersonic Missiles
India is also working on hypersonic technology, such as:
- Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV): A platform for testing hypersonic cruise missiles, capable of achieving speeds over Mach 5.
- BrahMos-II: Hypersonic variant in development (Mach 7-8, 600 km)
Top Indian Missiles Comparison Table
| Missile | Type | Range | Speed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agni-V | Ballistic | 5000+ km | Hypersonic | Operational |
| BrahMos | Cruise | 800 km | Mach 3 | Operational |
| Nirbhay | Cruise | 1500 km | Subsonic | Testing |
| Akash | SAM | 30 km | Supersonic | Active |
| K-4 | SLBM | 3500 km | Classified | Developing |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the major types of Indian missiles in 2026?
India’s missile systems are broadly classified into ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), anti-ship missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and hypersonic missiles.
2. Which is the longest-range missile in India?
Agni-V is currently India’s longest-range operational missile with a range of over 5,000 km, while Agni-VI is expected to exceed 10,000 km once developed.
3. What is the difference between ballistic and cruise missiles?
Ballistic missiles follow a parabolic trajectory and are used for long-range targets, whereas cruise missiles fly at low altitudes with precision guidance, making them harder to detect.
4. Why is BrahMos missile so important?
BrahMos is the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile (Mach 3) and is highly versatile, capable of being launched from land, air, sea, and submarines.
5. Which Indian missile is used for nuclear deterrence?
The Agni series (especially Agni-III, IV, and V) forms the backbone of India’s nuclear deterrence capability.
6. What is the role of DRDO in India’s missile program?
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) is the primary agency responsible for designing and developing India’s missile systems.
7. Which missile is used for air defense in India?
Missiles like Akash, Akash-NG, Barak-8, and QRSAM are used to defend against enemy aircraft, drones, and incoming missiles.
8. What is the significance of SLBMs in India’s defense?
SLBMs like K-15 and K-4 provide second-strike capability, making India’s nuclear deterrence more secure under its nuclear triad.
9. Which missile is used against tanks in India?
Nag missile and its variants like Helina (Dhruvastra) are used as anti-tank guided missiles for precision strikes.
10. What are hypersonic missiles and does India have them?
Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds greater than Mach 5. India is developing this technology through HSTDV and BrahMos-II.
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