Govt approves induction and deployment of Shaurya missile: Report

Last updated on February 17th, 2023 at 12:37 pm

In a major boost for India’s overall defence capabilities, the Union government recently approved the induction and deployment of 700-km range surface-to-surface hypersonic Shaurya strategic missile in the forces. The Shaurya missile is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

This development has come days after the DRDO reportedly conducted final rounds of trials of the Shaurya missile at a defence facility in Odisha’s Balasore. It was testfired successfully on October 3 at the coast of Odisha. The 10-metre-long nuclear-capable Shaurya is a land version of the submarine-launched BA-05 missile. Speaking to news agency ANI, DRDO sources stated that this missile will be a lighter and easier-to-operate version of the existing missile.

As per a report by the Hindustan Times, the missile will soon be deployed at various locations identified by the Indian Strategic Forces Command under the guidance of the National Security Council (NSC).

Top defence experts have stated that Shaurya missile has a warhead weighing around 160 kg, with the flying potential at a supersonic speed of Mach 7 (2.4 km per second) at a height of 50 km. Furthermore, it can hit its target at a speed of Mach 4.

Meanwhile, the DRDO is also preparing to test an 800 km-range subsonic ‘Nirbhay’ cruise missile in the coming weeks. If the tests of the missile achieve success, it will be formally inducted in the Indian Army and Navy.

Since September, the DRDO has tested a number of missiles as part of its efforts to complete self-reliance in the field of strategic missiles in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat call. As per media reports, the DRDO has conducted at least five missile tests in the last two weeks.

According to DRDO official, the missile tests were halted due to COVID-19 pandemic. With these back-to-back missile tests, the DRDO has begun its operations at full capacity. Earlier, India successfully testfired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile which has a strike range of over 400 km. These missile tests have come at a time when India is facing tensions with China in the aftermath of standoffs between the two forces in Ladakh.

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