69. History Of Indian Missile Programme

Emporium Current Essays 253 India has joined the select club of countries having both a viable civilian space industry and "missile-based" defences. How and why India has achieved a missile status, this discussion needs be examined. It has taken India about three decades from initial studies and research to the development of variety of missile systems. Today India is ready to deploy it's first short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), which is Capable of fielding a 2500-km range, medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), and has the technological infrastructure to undertake development of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBMs) and cruise missiles. Indian SSM research began in the early 1960s under the directive of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDQ), which was established on January 1, 1968. A department of the Ministry of Defence, DRDO has the mandate to "enable the nation (to) become self-reliant in weapons, weapon systems and equipment through research in wide-ranging areas of modern techirology." DRDO's first chief Controller, Major Gen. Kapur-, made an "information-gathering" trip to the United States in early 1962, where he toured R & D centres, SAC bases, missile training sites, and NASA facilities. Kapur stopped in Switzerland to meet representatives from the Zurich-based firm Contraves. The meeting produced an Indo-Swiss agreement to design and manufacture an intermediate-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) known as 'ProjectInd'igo'. However, at the same time Kapur was meeting the Swiss, New Delhi was also negotiating with Soviet Union for purchase of SA 2 SAMS. The Indians opted for the Soviet system, and 'ProjectIndigo' was cancelled. Kapur-drafted plan, approved by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet some time in Mid-1962, called for a group of scientists "to study missilery so that they could advise the services at the appropriate time." In 1965, the ad hoc Electronic Committee provided support for sustaining these early developments, The Committee noted that254 Emporium Current Essays since a base for rocket manufacture had already been established with licensed production of the French Centaure Souding Rocket, work should proceed in the development of propellants and guidance systems. India began the Centaure programme under a 1964-agrcement with France's Sub-Aviation. By 1969, the Chemical Engineering Division of the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre was producing the compatible-type solid propcllant for the Centaure with the know-how provided by the French Government.

'The Devi! Programme' was the next significant milestone in New Delhi's missile programme. The project began in the early 1970s and involved Indian attempts to convert SA 2s into SSMs. Reportedly involving over 880 experts, the project developed two liquid propulsion rocket motors by 1974. However, following the failure of several prototype system, the project w;as cancelled in 1987. The liquid fuel motors developed under the 'Devil Programme' later became the basis for the propulsion system on the India's first operational SSM, the Prithvi. In July 1983, a sum of Rs. 380 crore (US SI 13 million) for Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) to make India independent in Missile design and production was sanctioned. The plant which received a total of over Rs. 788 crore (US S275 million), involved the development of four missile systems "Trishul' a short-range SA 'Nag' -- a fire-for-got anti-tank guided missile; and 'Prithvi' a battlefield support SSM. Development of 'Agni, an IRBM was undertaken "concurrently" with the other IGMDP, systems. Like previous Indian programmes, the IGMDP is a DRDO effort, with substantive research and Development Laboratory (DRDL). Dr. APJ Kalam, DRDO's directer, heads the missile development programme. A Rs. 100 crore (US $35 MILLION) Research Centre, 'Immarat' (RCI), was built 6 km from DRDL for development of advanced missile technologies. Reportedly, RCI also incorporates missile production facilities. There are now over a thousand scientists and engineers working on missile related projects at the two facilities. Missile flight testing take place at several sites; six of the first eight Prithvi tests took place at the Shrihrikota (SHAR) test range. The first two 'Agni' tests were conducted at the Interim Test Range (1TR) facility located at Balaipal in eastern Orissa state. Several of the facilities which form the ISRO Telemetry. Tracking and Command Network (INTRAC), such as those at SHAR and Car Nocorbar island, were used to monitor Agni's maiden launch. USEmporium Current Essays 255 Built INSAT communications satellites," which fall under ISRO's control, were used to transmit 'Agni' launch data. In early 1980s ISRO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), a Government owned firm, Bharat Electonics Ltd (BEL), for technical co-operation in the field of development and production of electronic equipment and components for space applications. BEL is run by the Defence Ministry. Another PSL Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHNI), produces marging steel (M250) for the Potar Satellite Launch Vehicle's (PSLV) lower stages. ISRO funded Rs. 32 crore (US S 11 million) facility at HAL's Aerospace Division in Banglore to manufacture alloy structure and tankage for PSLV. HAL also designed and supplied systems for the Satellite Launch Vehicles (SLV) project while the engine division supplied titanium alloy bottlers for the PSLV.

It appears that defence has taken precedence over the civilian use of rocket technology. DRDO is recruiting young talent and visionary scientists such as Dr. Kalam, formerly head of ISRO's SLV-3 programme, away from the JSRO. New Delhi authorised Prithvi development in July 1983, but actual work began in 1984. The system's first flight test was from SHAR on February 25, l^SS. Prithvi development expands India's knowledge base to include, for the first time, series manufacture of a missile whose range exceeds that of standard field artillery. Prithvi upgrades and integrates many previously developed technologies into a system that compares favourably to other missiles of the SCUDcfass. The Prith-si is a single-stage short-range battlefield support missile that is 10 meters long with a body diameter of 1.1 meters. According to Dr. Kalam, 34 R & D organisations designed and developed the missile and 22 PSUs, ten ordinance factories, and nine Prithvi-sector industries were involved in system or subsystem production. Described by Indian scientists ad "having the best warhead-to-weight ratio" of any missile in its class, Prithvi comes in two version -- the 150 km range SS-150 which can carry a 1,000 kg warhead and the SS-250 which can carry a 500 kg warhead. A possible third version, whicfi some analysts speculate is a surface to air variant of the same system, is the Prithvi-3. The missile's minimum range is reportedly 40 km. The missile's frame is of locally developed light-weight aluminium alloy, manufactured by Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) and the aerodynamic uings are made of magnesium-256 Emporium Current Essays Emporium Current Essays 257 based material. The Oxidiscr and fuel tanks are also made of aluminium alloy. The propulsion system, an upgraded version of that developed under the earlier SA-2 conversion, "Devil Programme" consists of two gimbals and regeneratively cooled engines with programmable total impulse. The system affords flexibility in payload weight and range. Prithvi a hyperbolic liquid fuelled combination of red fuming nitric acid oxidant and xylodience G-fuel. The Solid State Physics Laboratory (SPL) developed India's indigenous G-fuel manufacturing process, and both propcllants are now produced at the Explosive Research and Development Laboratory, Pune. At the heart of Prithvi's guidance and control system is an on-board computer "based on" an Intel 8086 microprocessor. Prithvi's strap-down inertial navigation system is also used in the Agni IBRM. As per a 1987 agreement, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) manufactures the DRDL designed

gyroscopes for Prithvi. HAL also produces accelcrometers for the various IDMDP missile systems. Prithvi uses two radars: one modified surveillance for targeting and modified FLY CATCHER radar for guidance. Prithvi's accuracy approaches a circular error progability (CEP) of 1% of range, or 250m, at its maximum range of 250 km. Prithvi can carry several types of warheads, including unitary high explosive, prefragmented, minelets, and cluster ammunitions. The first static warhead test, as conducted at Pokharan, Rajhastan, in March 1990. Reportedly DRDL is studying fuel-air explosive (FAE) warhead feasibility for both Prithvi and \gni and it is therefore possible that Prithvi will deploy with FAEs. Given the missile's throw-weight, particularly at shorter ranges, Prithvi is also nuclear capable. Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BHL), a Defence Ministry owned firm Icct-ted near DRDL in Hyderabad, will build at a rate of 40-50 missile per year. The Army placed orders for Prithvi around the time of the missile's second test flight in September 1989. Prithvi production cost is about Rs. 1.6 crore (US S563,00) per missile. Approximsxely five to ten per cent of Prithvi components are imported: DRDO currently has enough of these goods in stocks to complete "initial production runs". These imports according to one analyst, consists primarily of precision sensors, a few special alloys and materials, and microprocessors. Given the history of progress in the Indian missile programme, it is safe to assume that many of these components will eventually be produced within the country, Prithvi is mounted on a 8^8 Kolos Tatra Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) produced by Bharat Earth Mover Ltd. Prithvi missile will be organised in "Heavy Rocket Regiments" consisting of 12-18 TELs, and associated fuelling reload (with perhaps - one reload missile per TEL) and command equipment. If production targets are met, India could deploy three to five such regiments by 1996. Prithvi could be employed against static targets such as the large maintenance areas required by Pakistan Army (Reserves, Command Centres, Pakistan airfields and fixed air defence sites. Prithvi also might be used a close support weapon against reserve formations moving up after armoured penetrations. Given a nominal 60-minute reload time, a Prithvi regiment would theoretically be able to deliver 12-18 tonnes of HE to targets at 150 km range within two hours upon arrival at a presurveyed launch site. Prithvi will therefore provide the Indian Army with a needed boost in operational firepower, particularly when operating without strike aircraft. The 'Agni* relies on propulsion and motor case technologies. However, some new technologies developed for 'Agni' • such as indigenously designed b,eat shield, as well as the system's intermediate-range capability, are indicative of India's success in its drive towards an increasingly sophisticated missile design infrastructure. Agni is viewed as the

appropriate military response to its nuclear missile armed neighbour, the People's Republic of China (PRC). Agni is a two-stage IRBM with & length of 18.4 meters and a body diameter of 1.3 meters at its widest point, Agni's maximum range is 2,500 km, with a 1,000 kg war-head, but the missile can carry heavier payload to l^QO kpt. Following a series of technical delays, A-gni's maiden launch was from the ITR in Orissa on May 22, 1989. The missile travelled 1,000 km during its first fight, which was designed to test shield, internal guidance and stage separation technologies. The missile was tested for the second time on May 22,1992. Although Indian official first claimed the test was a success and that the missile followed its projected course exactly, DRDO later acknowledged that the mission objective of the'final manoeuvring could not be fulfilled due to the premature ignition and separation of the second stage. Agni's first stage motor in an exact copy of the proven first stage on ISRO's SLV-3 which in turn, in based on the design of the US Scout rocket. Agni's second range is a shortened Prithvi stage, modified for high-auttude operations. Small thrust control motors258 Emporium Current Essays are used as an auxiliary propulsion system for keeping the missiles stable during its terminal phase. Agni's control and guidance system designed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (Banglore). Proliferation analysts Gary Moihollin Claims India received critical assistance in guidance and other technologies such as composite production from (former) West German aerospace agency DLR. Reportedly intended for India's space launch vehicle programme, the assistance was instead used in the Agni project. The complete guidance package is carried in the missile's re-entry vehicle and is essentially an upgraded version of that used on the Prithvi SSM. The Agni proved accurate during its first test, landing just one meter from its target point, according to one report. The upgraded Prithvi guidance package reportedly carried on Agni would provide accuracy of roughly 1.5 km at a 1,500 range, of 2.5 km at a 2,500 km range. Estimated production cost of single Agni missile is Rs, 3 crore (US SI million). The 1974 Pokharan test demonstrated India's ability to design nuclear explosive, but New Delhi has since maintained an ambiguous policy regarding weaponisation. Nuclear equipped Agnis could provide a deterrent, counter value capability vis-a-vis China by their ability to cretfibly threaten the industrial centres of Changdu, Lartdzhou and Xi'an or the space launch facilities at Xichang in Siquan province. Indian aircraft do not have the necessary ranges to reach targets nor do they offer the assured penetrability of missiles. What Agni does offer is a viable delivery option if and when India decide to

move from a fully conventional defence posture with respect to China and Pakistan to one that incorporates a nuclear deterrent capability. Equipped with mid-course terminal guidance systems and armed with cluster or large FAE warhead, a missile of Agni class could provide a deep strike weapon against target beyond the range of aircraft or where the use of manned bombers would be important like its use agajnst heavily defended airfields or commands. Clearly China (or Pakistan) would have to take into account New Delhi's conventional retaliatory capability in any plans to attack or threaten to attack the country. It remains in doubt, however, whether such conventionally armed Agni could inflict the level of 'punishment necessary to provide an assured deterrence against y either power. On the same day as Agni's first launch, press reports claimed that Indian defence scientists "would begin work on an ICBM with a range exceeding 5,000 km. "While there is no clear evidence that this is the case. Dr. Kalam has said that "if given the Emporium Current Essays 259 resources and then okay, it is possible for India to build an ICBM and i hat India would develop the missile when required." Along with its longer range SSMs, India is developing artillery rocket and multiplelaunch rocket systems (MLRS). Work on an indigenous versions of the Soviet BM-21 122 mm MLRS began in 1977 and the Defence Ministry chose BDL to produce the new system in 1983-84. The Pinaca, a longer-range MLRS, is also in the development stages, Pinaca has had several successful test flights, but more tests are needed user evaluation trials proceed. Work on the system which has a 45 km range and a warhead "several times" that of the BM-21, is being undertaken at ARDL. Although India does not produce cruse missiles, the Indian Navy does deploy Soviet STYX anti-ship cruise missile on several classes of ships, including its Kashinn destroyers and Osa-class missile boats. During 1971 war, these missile proved very effective in attacks on Pakistan ships and oil tanks in Karachi. Soon after the independence of India, the nationalist leadership decided to licenceproduce or indigenously develop defence and other equipment to the greatest extent possible. Reliance on high-technology and defence imports, they reasoned, could only lead to their country's continued economic inequality relative to the developed nations. India has therefore focused on high-tech sectors such as atomic science, spaceapplications and in defence aircraft and missiles, once though the preserve of only the most advanced countries. Indian motivations for initiation and maintaining its .^-missiles

programme involve national air of hegemony in th€ area, SSM capabilities enhance Indian military power for the more successful prosecution of war. Although its external strategic environment has undergone several changes since independence, India's traditional defence posture Was consistently centred around the perceived threat emanating from Pakistan and China. India has fought three major wars with Pakistan; India has also fought war with China. Unsolved border questions involving territory in north and northern India contribute^ to tension - between New Delhi and Beijing. Both - qualitative and quantitative increases in defence capabilities inject an additional element of friction into South Asia. Simly put Prithvi and other SSMs under development, strength India's desire to fight and win a war.