by Konstantine Kyprios, military analyst, EastMed Strategic Studies Institute Contributor
An overview of the different types of missiles developed indigenously in India including strategic and tactical missiles along with their capabilities. Those weapons systems are in order to counter Pakistan and now to face the main competition with China. Those weapon systems although not as good as the Western systems are highly capable and can compete with the highly modern systems. So, what kind of systems are interest for Greece in order to aid her in her competition with Turkey. There is a range of weapon systems that can be used for aiding Greece in her conflict with Turkey. One category is ballistic missiles. There is a range of ballistic missiles such as short-range ballistic missiles and medium range ballistic missiles. Those weapon systems can be used for strategic deterrence and tactical use where they can be used for both tactical and strategical targets. Those weapons can be used for strategic deterrence and tactical battle capability while they can also be used in coastal defense purposes. The missiles of India include both ballistic and cruise missile systems with strategic and tactical importance. These missiles have been developed through various missile programs since independence, with the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) being the most important and successful. The development of these missile systems signifies India’s aim to maintain the balance of power and strategic stability in the Asia-Pacific region and attain great power status. Prithvi, Akash, Agni, Brahmos, Sagarika, etc. are the missiles that have been developed to counter the geopolitical challenges and potential threats to India. They aim to strengthen both offensive and defensive capacities during any conflict scenario.
So there is a range of ballistic missiles that they are separated in categories. Those are tactical ballistic missiles with range up to 300 kilometers, short range ballistic missiles with range from 300 to 1000 kilometers, medium range ballistic missiles with range from 1000 to 3.500 kilometers, Intermediate range ballistic missiles with range from 3.500 to 5.500 kilometers and intercontinental ballistic missiles with range greater than 5.500 kilometers. Regarding Greece the interest is targeting in tactical ballistic missiles with range up to 300 kilometers and short-range ballistic missiles with range from 300 to 1000 kilometers. Those weapon systems will give the opportunity to the Greek strategic concept to hit targets deep in the Turkish mainland out of the reach of the other Greek systems. Especially installations such as industrial installations, railway installations supply and ammunition depots, so giving a dimension complete different to the Greek strategic thinking.
How the Indian ballistic missiles can aid Greece, the ballistic missiles are one very capable system. It can be used for strategic attack in order to hit targets that cannot be attack in a different way. They are usually mobile as to ensure survivability and quick deployment and they carrying a variety of warheads to target enemy facilities, assembly areas, artillery and other similar targets deep in the enemy heartland. Although a question remains regarding its accuracy, it is still a very significant strategic weapon that can be used in order to hit targets of highly importance as strategic infustraction, ports, industrial areas. So the Indian ballistic missiles are a capable weapon that can be find use in the Greek arsenal. They are also cheaper than alternative weapon systems of similar use and especially the Western systems that are not available due to the treaty limitations. Those types of missiles are given a strategic edge over an opponent that provide credible deterrence and are part of a strategic triad that include submarines, bombers/fighters, and missiles.
The Indian missiles utilized advanced guidance technologies such as inertial navigation systems, radar homing & optical seekers as and GPS that allow pinpoint accuracy. They include high accuracy and lethality. So, there is a range of Indian ballistic missiles that they are separated in categories. Those are tactical ballistic missiles with range up to 300 kilometers, short range ballistic missiles with range from 300 to 1000 kilometers, medium range ballistic missiles with range from 1000 to 3.500 kilometers, Intermediate range ballistic missiles with range from 3.500 to 5.500 kilometers and intercontinental ballistic missiles with range greater than 5.500 kilometers. Regarding Greece what is the main interest is the tactical ballistic missiles with range up to 300 kilometers and short-range ballistic missiles with range from 300 to 1000 kilometers. Those weapon systems will give the opportunity to the Greek strategic concept to hit targets deep in the Turkish mainland out of the reach of the other Greek systems. Especially targets such as industrial installations, railway installations supply and ammunition depots. As such it provides a dimension complete different to the Greek strategic thinking. Those missile capabilities serve to strengthen conventional military capabilities and give a new dimension to the Greek strategic thinking.
The Indian weapon systems that are of interest for Greece are the Agni-I short range ballistic missile with a range of 700 to 1000 kilometers, the Prithvi Series short range ballistic missiles series and more specific the Prithvi-1 with a range of 150 kilometers, the Prithvi -II with a range of 250 to 350 kilometers and Prithvi-III with a range of 350 to 600 kilometers. The Agni-I, the missile was developed after the Kargil war with Pakistan and it took 15 months. They are 15 meter tall and weight about 12 tones and they are capable of carrying both nuclear and tactical warheads of 1000 kgs. A two-stage variant called Agni-1P. The Indian Army approved the Agni-I for full production in August 2004 and accepted it into service 2007. In the latest upgrade it includes the Agni-1 missile with a new guidance system that increase its accuracy and it increases its destructive power. It is also road mobile which gives it a high degree of mobility and make it harder to target.
The Indian weapon systems that are of interest for Greece are the Agni-I short range ballistic missile with a range of 700 to 1000 kilometers, the Prithvi Series short range ballistic missiles series and more specific the Prithvi-1 with a range of 150 kilometers, the Prithvi -II with a range of 250 to 350 kilometers and Prithvi-III with a range of 350 to 600 kilometers.
The Agni-I missile was developed after the Kargil war with Pakistan and it took 15 months. They are 15 meter tall and weight about 12 tones and they are capable of carrying both nuclear and tactical warheads of 1000 kgs. A two-stage variant called Agni-1P. The Indian Army approved the Agni-I for full production in August 2004 and accepted it into service 2007. In the latest upgrade it includes the Agni-1 missile with a new guidance system that increase its accuracy and it has increased its destructive power. It is also road mobile which gives it a high degree of mobility and make it harder to target. The Prithvi was India’s first indigenously developed ballistic missile to result from this program starting in 1988. Although not a particular sophisticated missile it was incorporating propulsion technology derived from the Soviet SA-2. Three versions of this single stage missile are liquid fuel.
Prithvi I a short-range ballistic missile that has a maximum warhead of 1000 kg with a range of 150 kilometers and can be launched by transporter erector launchers it has a range of 150 kilometers. The issue for the Prithvi is that has developed for carrying a nuclear warhead. The missile will be upgraded to be used for longer ranges. Its terminal accuracy is less than 10 meters and it is fueled by solid propellant. It has inertial navigations and electro-mechanical actuation system. It has a range of 150 kilometers and carries a warhead up to 1000 kilos and has an accuracy range of 10 to 50 meters. Prithvi I a short-range ballistic missile that has a maximum warhead of 1000 kg with a range of 150 kilometers and can be launched by transporter erector launchers it has a range of 150 kilometers.
The Prithvi II for the Indian air force is carrying a smaller warhead and has a larger distance of 350 kilometers. The issue for the Prithvi is that has developed for carrying a nuclear warhead. The missile will be upgraded to be used for longer ranges. Its terminal accuracy is less than 10 meters and it is fueled by solid propellant. It has inertial navigations and electro-mechanical actuation system. The issue for the Prithvi is that has developed for carrying a nuclear warhead. The missile will be upgraded to be used for longer ranges. Its terminal accuracy is less than 10 meters and it is fueled by solid propellant. It has inertial navigations and electro-mechanical actuation system. While Prithvi II is a single-stage liquid fueled missile. It has a range of 250 kilometers and warhead capacity of 500 kg. It latest edition has an extended range of 350 kilometers and 500 to 1000 kg. Two Prithvi-II tactical to surface short range ballistic missiles were tested. The missile has an enhanced range of 250 kilometers and a maximum warhead attachment capability of 500 kilograms. It has a range of 600 kilometers and a payload of 1000 kilograms. The missile features measures to deceive anti-ballistic missiles equipped with an improvement in inertial navigation system.
Prithvi III is a two-stage surface to surface missile with the first stage is a solid fueled missile with a 16 metric ton force, the second stage is a liquid fueled and can carry a 1000-kilogram warhead to a distance of 350 kilometers and a 500 to a distance of 600 kilometers and a 250 warhead up to a distance of 750 kilometers. The missile was first tested in 2000 and the first flight test of the 250 kilometers variant was only partially successful with the full operational testing completed in 2004. The Indian missile systems are characterized by quick reaction capability, high accuracy that is characterized by inertial navigation systems, satellite navigation, radar and optical seekers. As a result, it enables precise targeting and minimum collateral damage. They have indigenous propulsion systems that give Indian missiles extended ranges and heavy warheads to inflict major damages [i]A new tactical version has been developed with a range of 60 to 170 kilometers and based on Prahaar missile the main advantage of the Prahaar it is very hard to be intercept by anti-aircraft missile systems. It is equipped with fiber-optic gyro based navigation system that also has a GPS receiver it is also fitted with stabilizing fins and a solid rocket motor[ii].
The Prahar is a version that carries a conventional edition that is more derived for the strategic studies and carry six missiles on each transporter. That can be fired in salvo mode The missile is targeting to the short-range tactical battlefield missile role to take out strategical and tactical targets. It is mounted on a mobile launcher. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation guidance and electro-mechanical actuation systems with the latest onboard computer and terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters. It has an inertial navigation system while it is equipped with various tracking radars as and well electro-optical equipment that are engaged to track and monitor the missiles trajectory. It is fueled by solid propellant it is about 7.32 meter – long and its diameter is 420 mm. Its launch weight is about 1.28 tons it can carry a pay load of 200 kg[iii]. Prithvi III is a first stage is solid fueled two stage liquid fueled that carry 1000 kg warhead to a distance of 350 kilometers and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of 600 kilometers and a 250 kg up to a distance of 750 kilometers.
A new tactical version has been developed with a range of 60 to 170 kilometers and based on Prahaar missile the main advantage of the Prahaar it is very hard to be intercept by anti-aircraft missile systems. It is equipped with fiber-optic gyro-based navigation system that also has a GPS receiver it is also fitted with stabilizing fins and a solid rocket motor[iv]. It has a warhead of 250 kilograms with an operational range of up to 200 kilometers. It has a mobile launch platform with six missiles with different kind of warheads. They can fir in Salvo and in all directions[v].The missile has a length of 7.3 meters, diameter 420 mm and weight 1.280 kilograms with a payloadof200kilograms[vi].That can be fired in salvo mode The missile is targeting to the short-range tactical battlefield missile role to take out strategical and tactical targets. It is mounted on a mobile launcher. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation guidance and electro-mechanical actuation systems with the latest onboard computer and terminal accuracy of less than 10 meters. It has an inertial navigation system while it is equipped with various tracking radars as and well electro-optical equipment that are engaged to track and monitor the missiles trajectory. It is fueled by solid propellant it is about 7.32 meter – long and its diameter is 420 mm. Its launch weight is about 1.28 tons it can carry a pay load of 200 kg.[vii]
The Shaura missile is a short-medium ballistic missile capable of carrying a payload of 200 kilograms to the 1ton conventional warhead[viii]. It has a range of 700-800kilometers and a speed of Mach 7 it has high maneuverability and it is stealth. Another type of missiles are the Pralay missiles that are considered quasi-ballistic missiles. They have a range of 150-500 kilometers and can carry 500 to 1000 kilograms of conventional warheads with advance guidance that can assure pinpoint accuracy. They can also carry a 1000 kilograms high explosive preformed fragmentation warhead, a Penetration-Cum-Blast and a Runway Denial Penetration submunition and can maneuver while keeping a low trajectory. It is road mobile and there is further work in order to extend its range for a few hundred kilometers[ix].It is solid fueled conventional precision strikes[x].
This include the Dhanush missile of the Indian Navy that carrying both conventional as well and nuclear warheads with pay load capacity of 500 kg to 1000 kg and it can strike targets in the maximum range of 750 kilometers it is be launched from a hydraulically stabilized launch pad. It has 1000 kilograms warheads at a range of 350 kilometers, 500 kilograms to 1000 kilograms at a range of 600 kilometers and 250 kilograms at a range of 750 kilometers. It can be used for anti-chip weapons as and for destroying land targets. It has a range of 350 kilometers and a speed of Mach 2. In the launch complex II, it has an inertial navigation system while it is equipped with various tracking radars as and well electro-optical equipment that are engaged to track and monitor the missiles trajectory. It is fueled by solid propellant it is about 7.32 meter. long and its diameter is 420 mm. Its launch weight is about 1.28 tons it can carry a pay load of 200 kg[xi]. Prithvi III is a first stage is solid fueled two stage liquid fueled that carry 1000 kg warhead to a distance of 350 kilometers and a 500 kg warhead to a distance of 600 kilometers and a 250 kg up to a distance of 750 kilometers. It is hydraulically stabilized and it has a short range with a great accuracy that allow it either to destroy a port or an aircraft carrier[xii].
A new tactical version has been developed with a range of 60 to 170 kilometer the main advantage of this missile is that it is very hard to be intercept by anti-aircraft missile systems. It is equipped with fiber-optic gyro-based navigation system that also has a GPS receiver it is also fitted with stabilizing fins and a solid rocket motor. Prahaar developed this tactical ballistic missile as a replacement of Prithvi-I, a battlefield supports tactical weapon system that is designed to be cost effective, that is also support tactical weapon system that is designed to be cost effective, quick reacting, all weather, all terrain, high precision. Cruise missile systems are a second dimension of weapon systems that Greece can acquire from India, and India has developed a great range of such weapon systems. The most capable are those that have been developed with Russia. The weapon systems have high accuracy and lethality and are the hallmarks of India missile systems. The most famous is the Brahmos II that is based on Zircon and attain hypersonic cruise speed above Mach 8. A cruise missile it is a guided missile used against terrestrial or naval targets that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path. Cruise missiles are used against terrestrial or naval targets that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path in constant speed before hitting targets. The cruise missiles travel at less than Mach 1, while other cruise missiles are used powered by using scramjet engines to succeed speeds greater than Mach 5 to designated a hypersonic cruise missile. It remains in the atmosphere through its flight. In such a way they are the Hypersonic that can travel up to Hypersonic Mach 5, the ones that can flight up to Supersonic Mach 2-3 and subsonic up to Mach 0.8. are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high precision. They are capable of traveling at supersonic or high subsonic speeds and are self-navigating able to fly on a non-ballistic low altitude trajectory[xiii].
It incorporates an Inertial Navigation System (INS) coupled with GPS guidance for high accuracy, way point navigation allowing complex flight paths, radio frequency seeker for terminal guidance, terrain hugging capabilities and sea skimming ability for low detection, mobile articulated launcher for flexible deployment, conventional warhead, and Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile). It has a speed of 0..7 Mach and can fly as low as 100 meters validated with sea skimming capability, its flight was fully tracked by a chain of Electro Optical Tracking System, Radars, and Ground Telemetry Systems. It can be armed with a 200-to-300-kilogram warhead[xiv].. India has acquired 110 air-launched Brahmos missile with cost of 1.3 billion and eight fire control systems and vertical launchers for Navy warship[xv].
The Indian missile that is of interest for Greece is the Brahmos cruise missile with a range of 300 kilometers and a cruise speed of Mach 2.8 that was developed in conjunction with Russia. Regarding it speed it can even achieve ranges as high as Mach 7it is a two-stage air to surface missile that has a flying range of roughly 300 kilometers a solid propellant engine in the first stage and liquid ramjet in the second. The range of the missile is 800 kilometers with ranges of 290 to 450 kilometers with 1000 kilograms[xvi]. Brahmos is coming out in the editions for land, ship, submarine and air-launched missiles. fastest supersonic missile of the world and is a fire and forget missile its variant includes India’s. Cruise missile can travel low altitudes and fallow specific flight paths. It is the world’s faster-ship anti-ship cruise missiles and has a range of 290 kilometers it is also presently under development with a speed of Mach 7-8 in order to boost aerial fast strike capabilities there is also a new generation of missiles with a range of 600 kilometer. The missiles are separated in categories such as short range that can travel in distances such as 500 kilometers and medium range that have a range of 500 to 1500 kilometers.
Brahmos, it has a range of 800 to 1000 kilometers with a warhead of 200 to 300 kilograms terrain Huggin and sea skimming with a accuracy of 5-10 meters and cruise altitude of 100 meter to 4 kilometers the propulsion of indigenous manik turbofan engine + solid booster. A subsonic cruise missile, enables low radar signature and extended flight endurance, and sea skimming ability making it highly effective for strategic missions in the Manik its subsonic speed contributes to its terrain hugging capability with small turbo fan engine (SFTE) a turbo fan engine (STFE) developed by DRDO Gas Turbine Research Establishment that demonstrate the multi-platform launch capabilities of the Nirbhay missile system that are particularly significant developments in India cruise missile technology further showcasing and complements India’s missile arsenal low range option for precision strikes.
The cruise missile Nirbhay, is powered by a solid rocket motor booster developed by a Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL). It has a highly advanced inertial navigation system indigenously developed by Research Center Imarat (RCI)[xvii]. .The first significant initiative of India is to develop missiles for defensive and offensive needs. It has a range of roughly 1000 kilometers and can deliver 24 different kinds of warheads weighing between 200 and 300 kilograms. It has a subsonic missile with a speed of 0.7 Mach and has sea-skimming and terrain-hugging capability. These include ballistic missiles, cruise missile with a range of 3500 kilometers and can be also launched underwater making it difficult to detect and intercept. It has a range of 1000 to 1500 kilometers, It is capable of carrying conventional warheads powered by a solid rocket booster and with capabilities of sea-skimming and loitering capability. An improved version of Nirbhay cruise missile is the LRLACM. It uses inertial navigation and GPS systems for guidance and it use a GPS guidance system. It uses way point navigation[xviii](Bottom of Form)
An overview of the different types of missiles developed indigenously in India including strategic and tactical missiles along with their capabilities. Those weapons systems are in order to counter Pakistan and now to face the main competition with China. Those weapon systems although not as good as the Western systems are highly capable and can compete with the highly modern systems. So what kind of systems are interest for Greece in order to aid her in her competition with Turkey. There is a range of weapon systems that can be used for aiding Greece in her competition. One category is ballistic missiles. There is a range of ballistic missiles such as short-range ballistic missiles and medium range ballistic missiles. Those weapon systems can be used for strategic deterrence and tactical battle capability for both tactical and strategical targets.
How can the Indian ballistic missiles can aid Greece, the ballistic missiles are one very capable system. It can be used for strategic attack in order to hit targets that cannot be attack in a different way. They are usually mobile as to ensure survivability and quick deployment and they carrying a variety of warheads to target enemy facilities, assembly areas, artillery, and other similar targets deep in the enemy heartland. Although a question remains regarding its accuracy, it still is a very significant strategic weapon that can be used in order to hit targets of highly importance as strategic infustraction, ports, industrial areas. So the Indian ballistic missiles are a capable weapon that can be find use in the Greek arsenal. They are also cheaper than alternative similar weapon systems in the market and especially than regarding the Western systems are not available due to the treaty limitations. The Indian missiles are using solid fuels which means quick reaction capabilities shorter preparations and launch times and faster response.
As such the Indian weapon systems are of greatest use as they are cheaper alternatives with great capabilities and good technological background as a result of joint ventures programs with states as China and Russia. They can offer to Greece great opportunities and capabilities allowing great strategical strikes in different situations. The Indian missiles are incorporating advanced guidance technologies as inertial navigation systems, satellite navigation, radars and optical seeker to achieve pinpoint accuracy that results to precise targeting and minimum collateral damage. Another advantage is the quick deployment of the Indian ballistic missiles. The Indian ballistic missiles are using solid fuels that results to quick reactions capability, shorter preparations and launch times giving flexibility for a faster response. Those weapons will give a new dimension to Greek strategic thinking such as the capability of deep strike in the enemy territory in order to hit both tactical and strategic targets that include industrial areas, airports, railways depots, military complexes, army depots and other strategic installations deep in enemy territory that in a different way they would be not accessible by the Greek military as they are out of reach[xix].
[i] By Vajiram Editor (Aug 18, 2025), Missiles of India Features, Significance, Types of Missiles in India. india/,https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-exam/types-of-missiles-in-india/)
[ii] defenceupdate Prahaar Short-range Ballistic Missile Provide India A Deadly Edge over Pakistani Army (https://defenceupdate.in/prahaar-short-range-ballistic-missile-provide-india-deadly-edge-pakistani-army/
[iii] , September 21, 2018 Indian Army test launches Prahaar short-range ballistic missile (https://www.army-technology.com/news/india-test-launches-prahaar-missile/?cf-view).
[iv] defenceupdate Prahaar Short-range Ballistic Missile Provide India A Deadly Edge over Pakistani Army
[vi] (https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2011/Jul/24/prahaar-completes-short-range-strike-capability-274571.html)
[vii] (https://www.army-technology.com/news/india-test-launches-prahaar-missile/?cf-view).
[viii] (https://globalsecurityreview.com/indias-missile-program-a-threat-to-regional-and-global-peace-and-stability/).
[ix] (https://news.az/news/india-approves-supply-of-pralay-quasi-ballistic-missiles-to-armenia).
[x] .(https://www.insightsonindia.com/2025/07/30/flight-tests-of-the-pralay-quasi-ballistic-missile/)
[xi] (https://www.army-technology.com/news/india-test-launches-prahaar-missile/?cf-view).
[xii] (https://www.newsonair.gov.in/india-successfully-test-fires-nuclear-capable-short-range-ballistic-missiles-prithvi-ii-agni-i-from-chandipur/)
[xiii] (https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-exam/types-of-missiles-in-india/).
[xiv] (https://thediplomat.com/2019/04/india-test-fires-nuclear-capable-nirbhay-cruise-missile/)
[xv](https://pakobserver.net/watch-fatah-missile-system-that-hit-indian-airbases-put-ondisplay-in-islamabad/)
[xvi] (https://www.defencestar.in/military/india-tests-nirbhay-cruise-missile-with-manik-turbofan-engine/7441/.)
[xvii] (https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=110656
[xviii] (https://globalsecurityreview.com/indias-missile-program-a-threat-to-regional-and-global-peace-and-stability/)
[xix] (Attracting private capital through appropriate PPP and other models is imperative…. Read more at: https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-exam/types-of-missiles-in-india/)