The Surya missile is a speculated
intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range greater than , primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery (delivering one or more thermonuclear warheads). Conventional, chemical, and biological weapons ...
being developed by Defence research and development organization of India and its operational range is beyond 16,000 Km covering the entire earth
History
According to a 1995 report published in The Nonproliferation Review, Surya (meaning the Sun in
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominalization, nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cul ...
and many Indian languages) is the codename for one of the
Intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range greater than , primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery (delivering one or more thermonuclear warheads). Conventional, chemical, and biological weapons ...
s that India is reported to be developing, for which there is no formal statement from India.
[Surya ICBM](_blank)
Retrieved 14 June 2007. The
DRDO
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) ( IAST: ''Raksā Anūsandhān Evam Vikās Sangaṭhan'') is the premier agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence of the Government of India ...
is believed to have begun the project in 1994. This report has not been confirmed by any other sources until 2010.
According to the report, the Surya is an intercontinental-range, surface-based, solid and liquid propellant ballistic missile.
The report further adds that Surya is the most ambitious project in India's
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The surya missile is more of strategic in nature due to its capabilities and thus gives enemy mutually assured destruction. The Surya is speculated to have a range of more than 12,000 kilometres, which brings almost all major nations of the world in its range.
It is being said to have a three-stage design, with the first two stages using solid propellants and the third-stage using liquid. The first stage is speculated to be borrowed from
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
Development
According to a 2013 report by ''
The New Indian Express
''The New Indian Express'' is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper published by the Chennai-based Express Publications. It was founded in 1932 as ''The Indian Express'', under the ownership of Chennai-based P. Varadarajulu Naid ...
'', Surya missile is speculated of being built highly confidentially under the code-name of
Agni-VI.
Speculated specifications
* Class:
ICBM
* Lasing: Surface based, underwater based (in certain strategic areas) and submarine based is its most important aspect which may range above 16,000 km.
* Length: 40.00 m.
* Diameter: 1.1m.
* Launch Weight: 70,000 kg.
* Propulsion: First/second stage solid, third liquid.
* Warhead Capabilities: 3-10
thermonuclear
Thermonuclear fusion is the process of atomic nuclei combining or “fusing” using high temperatures to drive them close enough together for this to become possible. There are two forms of thermonuclear fusion: ''uncontrolled'', in which the re ...
warheads of 750 kilotons each or 4-5 Megatons single warhead.
* Status: Confidential.
* Number Built: Confidential.
* In Service: unknown.
See also
*
Project Valiant
*
Intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range greater than , primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery (delivering one or more thermonuclear warheads). Conventional, chemical, and biological weapons ...
*
Agni Missile System
*
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Surya Missile
Ballistic missiles of India
Defence Research and Development Organisation
MIRV capable missiles