India and Pakistan, two nucleararmed neighbors in South Asia, maintain robust missile arsenals as part of their strategic deterrence postures. This comparison delves into the key missile systems of both nations, examining their capabilities, ranges, and roles in regional security dynamics. India possesses a formidable and evolving missile arsenal developed primarily by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Its missile power includes ballistic, cruise, and tactical missiles, designed for both conventional and nuclear delivery.
India’s Missile Arsenal
India’s missile development is spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with a focus on enhancing deterrence and operational flexibility.
Ballistic Missiles
Agni Series: The Agni family is India’s primary nuclear-capable ballistic missile series. Agni-I: A short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of approximately 700 km.
Agni-II: A medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range of about 2,000 km. Agni-III: A longer-range missile capable of reaching targets up to 3,500 km away. Agni-IV: An intermediate-range ballistic missile
(IRBM) with a range of 4,000 km. Agni-V: An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range exceeding 5,000 km, enhancing India’s second-strike capability.
Prithvi Series: These are tactical surface-to-surface missiles with ranges varying from 150 km to 350 km, designed for battlefield support.
Cruise Missiles
BrahMos: Aztional or nuclear warheads. Nirbhay: A subsonic cruise missile with a range of 1,000 km, designed for deep penetration strikes.
Air-Launched Missiles
Rudram Series: Antiradiation missiles designed to target enemy radar and communication systems. SAAW (Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon): A precisionguided munition aimed at neutralizing enemy airfields.
Anti-Ship Missiles
Dhanush: A shiplaunched version of the Prithvi missile, with a range of 350 km. BrahMos-NG: A lighter and more compact version of the BrahMos, suitable for deployment on smaller platforms.
Among the early members of Pakistan’s ballistic missile family is the Abdali missile, officially designated as Hatf-II. It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) designed for both conventional and nuclear payloads. Although older and shorter in range than newer systems like Shaheen or Babur, Abdali plays a specific role in battlefieldlevel deterrence and is symbolic of Pakistan’s emphasis on maintaining a layered response strategy. Approximately 180 to 200 kilometers, placing it in the tactical missile category.
Fatah Series Ballistic Missile
Pakistan has claimed to have conducted the “training launch” of a surfaceto-surface ballistic missile with a range of 120 kilometres from its Fatah series.
Other Major Pak Ballistic Missiles
Shaheen Series: Medium to intermediate-range ballistic missiles with nuclear capabilities. Shaheen-I: A short-range missile with a range of approximately 750 km.
Shaheen-II: An MRBM with a range of about 2,500 km. Shaheen-III: An IRBM with a range of 2,750 km, capable of reaching deep into India.
Ghauri Series: Mediumrange ballistic missiles based on North Korean technology, with ranges up to 1,300 km.
Ababeel: A MIRV-capable missile with a range of 2,200 km, designed to defeat missile defense systems.
Nasr: A tactical ballistic missile with a range of 70 km, intended for battlefield use with nuclear or conventional warheads.
Cruise Missiles
Babur Series: Subsonic cruise missiles with land, sea, and air-launched variants. Babur-I: A land-attack cruise missile with a range of 500 km.
Babur-III: A submarinelaunched cruise missile with a range of 450 km. Ra’ad Series: Airlaunched cruise missiles.
Ra’ad-I: A cruise missile with a range of 350 km. Ra’ad-II: An extendedrange version with a range of 550 km.
Taimoor: A stealthy airlaunched cruise missile with a range of 280 km, designed to target both stationary and moving targets.
Strategic Considerations
Nuclear Doctrine: India adheres to a “No First Use” policy, maintaining a credible minimum deterrent. Pakistan, conversely, has a policy of “Full Spectrum Deterrence,” indicating a readiness to use nuclear weapons in a broader range of scenarios.
