India successfully test fires its first tactical new generation anti-radiation missile

Three Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) fly in ‘Trishul’ manoeuvre over Rajpath during the parade. (Image: PTI)

India successfully test fired its first tactical anti-radiation missile Rudram 1 on October 9. The supersonic-capable missile can be launched at speeds ranging from 0.6 mach to 2 mach, i.e., twice the speed of sound.

The new generation weapon developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was tested around 10.30 am at the interim test range (ITR) located in Balasore, Odisha.

#WATCH: 'Rudram’ Anti-Radiation Missile fired from a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft off the east coast.

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The missile, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, was test-fired successfully today and is the country’s first indigenous Anti Radiation missile for IAF. pic.twitter.com/qVDT3gdqEN

— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2020

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO on the successful launch and tweeted: “The New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (Rudram-1), which is India’s first indigenous anti-radiation missile developed by DRDO for the IAF, was tested successfully today (October 9) at ITR, Balasore. Congratulations to DRDO and other stakeholders for this remarkable achievement.”

The new generation anti-radiation missile (NGARM) is integrated on IAF’s Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. The Rudram 1 can be launched from a height of 500 metres to 15 km and can attack targets within a range of 250 km. India will now be able to launch missiles at enemy radars and surveillance systems, thus allowing its strike aircraft to carry out their missions unhindered.

How does the NGARM work?The NGARM missile has a passive homing head which can track radiation emitting objects. It can lock its target before and after launch. This means, even if the enemy shuts down its radar after the Rudram 1 missile is launched, it will still hit its target.