The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is fully prepared to advance the Agni-VI missile programme once it receives government clearance, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat announced on Friday.
Awaiting Policy Decision
Speaking at the ANI National Security Summit 2.0, Kamat emphasised that the project is awaiting a policy decision. “It is the government's decision. We are ready whenever the government gives us the go-ahead,” he said. The Agni-VI is expected to be an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a longer range and enhanced capabilities compared to existing systems in India’s Agni missile series.
Hypersonic Weapons Development
Kamat also provided updates on India’s hypersonic weapons development, stating that two parallel programmes are underway: a hypersonic glide missile and a hypersonic cruise missile. “With respect to the hypersonic, we are working on two programs, the Hypersonic Glide Missile and the Hypersonic Cruise Missile,” he said.
Explaining the distinction between the two systems, he noted, “The hypersonic cruise missile has a scramjet engine and it is powered during its flight. The hypersonic glide missile uses a booster to give it initial velocity and then it just glides without any powering.” He indicated that the glide variant is more advanced and likely to undergo testing first. “The glide missile will come out first... we should be doing the first trials fairly soon and that is at a more advanced stage than the cruise missile,” Kamat added.
Conventional Missile Force Plans
The DRDO chief also outlined the proposed structure of a conventional missile force, which is still under consideration. “So with respect to the conventional missile force, as the defence secretary mentioned, the structure has not yet been formed, but what I consider would be required in a conventional missile force would be ballistic missiles for short ranges, medium ranges, and ranges maybe up to 2000 kilometers,” he said.
He added that a mix of systems would be required. “So you would need ballistic missiles of these three types and you would also need cruise missiles, you would need hypersonic missiles...”
On current systems, Kamat said the short-range Pralay missile is in its final testing phase and nearing readiness. “For short-range ballistic missiles, the Pralay which is now in the final stages of testing, that should be ready,” he said. He also noted that some existing strategic missiles could be adapted for tactical roles.
Earlier on Thursday at the ANI National Security Summit, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said India is moving ahead with plans to build a multi-layered conventional missile force covering short, medium and long-range capabilities. He also said that the procurement process for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is advancing, with a request for proposal (RFP) expected to be issued soon to shortlisted private sector companies, signalling a major step towards indigenous fighter aircraft development.
