India made steady progress in 2022 in successfully testing a variety of lethal and sophisticated missiles, including the Agni V that can strike targets at a distance of nearly 5,500 km, to counter the twin threats posed by China and Pakistan on its Northern and Western borders. In 2022, India tested a number of anti-ship, air defence, ballistic, cruise, air-to-air, anti-missile, and even space target capabilities weapons.
In 2022, India made significant progress in successfully test firing a series of lethal and advanced missiles to counter threats from China and Pakistan
Being one of four countries with an Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) system helped India make a name for itself on the global stage and it is also one of the seven nations with an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Agni V, with a minimum range of 5,500 km . The year also saw the government pushing for the ‘Aatmanirbhar’ transformation of India’s military, which would see the armed forces equipped with state of the art weapons manufactured indigenously.
The procurement of the indigenous Pralay short-range ballistic surface-to-surface (SRBM) missile, which will be deployed along the nation’s borders with China and Pakistan, was approved by the Ministry of Defense to mark the end of the year.
Development is a step toward establishing India’s own Rocket Force, a concept that former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat had advocated
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Following are the missiles that were tested by Indian Armed Forces will in 2022:
Agni Series
India successfully tested a number of its Agni series missiles during the year.
The long-range surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile, Agni 5, with a range of more than 5,000 km, was successfully tested by India in December. The Agni 5 was fired for the eighth time during testing, which began in 2012. Beijing and the majority of mainland Chinese cities are within the missile’s range.
BrahMos Extended Range Version Missile
India successfully fired the BrahMos missile’s Extended Range Version in May from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet. The missile successfully connected with the intended target in the Bay of Bengal area.
Prithvi – II
From Chandipur, Odisha, the Short-Range Ballistic Missile Prithvi-II was tested in June. The missile has a very high degree of precision when striking targets.
Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile
A Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) was successfully launched by INS Arihant in October. INS Arihant is currently equipped with a K-15 SLBM with a 750 km range.
Helina
Two successful flight tests of the anti-tank guided missile “HELINA” from an indigenously developed helicopter were place in April at various high altitude ranges. The missile’s maximum range is 7 kilometres; it has been developed to be integrated with helicopters. The missile system can operate in any weather conditions, day or night, and can destroy battle tanks equipped with both conventional and explosive reactive armour.
Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile
In June, the battle tank Arjun successfully fired indigenously developed Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM). The ATGM is equipped with a High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead to destroy armored vehicles with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) protection.
Naval Anti-Ship Missile
Off the coast of Odisha, the Indian Navy and DRDO successfully tested a indigenously developed naval anti-ship missile in May. It was the Indian Navy’s first homegrown air launched anti-ship missile weapon.
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile
The Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system was put through six flight tests by the Indian Army in 2022. To assess the weapon systems’ capabilities in various scenarios, testing were carried out using fast-moving aerial targets that mimicked diverse threats.
Medium Range Surface to Air Missile
The Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile underwent two tests in March. The weapon consists of multifunction radar and a mobile launcher system.
Vertical Range Surface to Air Missile
The Indian Navy and DRDO successfully flight tested Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from a navy ship at Chandipur. The system will assist the Navy in close-range neutralisation of a variety of airborne threats.
Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile
Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile flight testing by DRDO was completed successfully in January. The indigenously developed anti-tank missile can be fired from a portable launcher and is low weight and fire and forget missile.
Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator
The Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator successfully completed its first flight in July. Such UAVs, which are thought to be the precursor of future combat drones, will be able to fire missiles and precision-guided weapons.
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