Surya missile
Surya (meaning the Sun in Sanskrit and many Indian languages) is the codename for the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile that India is reported to be developing.[1] The DRDO is believed to have begun the project in 1994. Officials of the Indian government have repeatedly denied the existence of the project.
According to news reports, the Surya-1 is an intercontinental-range, surface-based, solid and liquid propellant ballistic missile.
Surya is the most ambitious project in India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The Prithvi and Agni have completed development, as have the Trishul, the Akash and the Nag. India is also reported to be developing the Sagarika, a submarine-launched cruise missile with a range of about 1000 km.
The Surya-1 will have an expected range of up to 6,000 km.
- Surya-I/Agni-IV - up to 6,000 km range (2010)[2][3] It reportedly has a length of 40 m and a launch weight of 80,000 kg (some reports indicate as much as 275,000 kg [4]). As the missile has yet to be developed, the payload and warhead are as yet unknown. It is believed to be a three-stage design, with the first two stages using solid propellants and the third-stage using liquid. [4]
The Surya-2 is a longer-ranged variant of the Surya-1. It has a reported range of 8,000 to 12,000 km. Surya-3 will have range of more than 20,000 km.[5]
The first test flight of the highly secretive Surya project is expected in 2008.[5]
Speculated specifications
- Class: ICBM
- Lasing: Surface based and sometimes also used under water in critical conditions
- Length: 40.00 m
- Diameter: 2.8 m
- Launch Weight: 80,000 kg
- Propulsion: First/second stage solid, third liquid
- Warhead Capabilities: 2-3 nuclear warheads of 250 kilotons each
- Status: Development / Developed to be tested
- In Service: 2015
- Range:8,000 km Surya-2
References
- ^ Surya ICBM, accessed June 14, 2007
- ^ AFP: India building 6,000km nuclear-capable missile
- ^ http://www.npec-web.org/Essays/060207SpeierICBM.pdf
- ^ a b An FAQ of the Surya ICBM Project at india-defense.com, accessed June 14, 2007
- ^ a b "India's ICBM – On a "Glide Path" to Trouble?" (PDF). Dr. Richard Speier,. Nonproliferation Policy Education Center.
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