Maarg Manthan · Topic 16.20

Shaurya Missile, ASTRA Missile, Dhanush Missile and Prahaar Missile

Science & Technology › Defence Technology and Missile Systems · Topic 16.20

Shaurya, Astra, Dhanush and Prahaar are four Indian missiles developed by DRDO. Shaurya is a canister launched, surface to surface hypersonic class tactical ballistic missile with a range of about 700 to 1,000 km, and it is the land variant of the submarine launched K-15 Sagarika. Astra is an indigenous beyond visual range air to air missile with active radar homing and a range of about 110 km in the Mk-1 version, with Mk-2 of about 160 km and Mk-3 under development. Dhanush is a ship launched ballistic missile of 350 km range, a naval variant of the Prithvi-II. Prahaar is a short range, solid fuelled, road mobile surface to surface tactical missile of about 150 km, first flown in 2011, meant to replace the Pragati and Prithvi-I types.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Defence Technology and Missile Systems

At a Glance

Shaurya Canister surface to surface, ~700 to 1,000 km
Astra BVR air to air, ~110 km
Dhanush Ship launched, 350 km
Prahaar Tactical, ~150 km
Maker DRDO
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Defence Technology and Missile Systems

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the account of missile classification. It applies the classes to four Indian missiles that are often asked in the Prelims in matching and statement questions. Previous topic: Missile Classification by Type, Launch Platform, Range and Propulsion System. Next topic: Frigates, Destroyers and Aircraft Carriers of the Indian Navy.

What Are the Features of Shaurya and Astra?

Missile	Features
Shaurya type	Surface to surface tactical ballistic missile, solid fuelled, canister stored so that it can be kept ready and moved easily. Nuclear capable
Shaurya range	About 700 km officially in earlier tests and up to about 1,000 km in later claims, with a speed reported as hypersonic during flight; a test was held in 2020 from Odisha
Shaurya link	It is the land based version of the K-15 Sagarika submarine launched ballistic missile
Astra type	Beyond visual range air to air missile, 3.8 metres long, solid fuel with smokeless propulsion
Astra guidance	Inertial and mid-course update, active radar seeker in the terminal phase
Astra range	Mk-1 about 110 km, Mk-2 about 160 km, and Mk-3 (Gandiva, using a ramjet) targeted at over 300 km
Astra platforms	Fired from Su-30MKI and Tejas, and integrated with MiG-29 and others

Dhanush: a naval, ship launched surface to surface ballistic missile that is a variant of Prithvi-II. Range about 350 km, carrying a 500 kg payload, and it can be fired from a ship at sea or from the shore. Nuclear capable. Tested from naval ships since 2000
Prahaar: a surface to surface tactical missile of about 150 km with a solid propellant. It has a quick reaction time, high manoeuvrability and accuracy, is road mobile, and can be fired as a salvo of several missiles. First flight in 2011
Pralay: a quasi-ballistic missile of 150 to 500 km, an upgraded Prahaar-type missile, tested in 2021 and cleared for production by the Army and Air Force
Pragati: an earlier export version of Prahaar-type missile
Agni-Prime: a newer medium range missile of up to 2,000 km
Nirbhay: a subsonic cruise missile, in the next topics
Operators: Shaurya and Prithvi-II by the Strategic Forces Command, Astra by the Air Force, Dhanush by the Navy and Prahaar by the Army
Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation, with Bharat Dynamics Limited as production agency

What Else Should You Remember?

Meaning of names: Shaurya means valour, Astra means weapon, Dhanush means bow, and Prahaar means strike
Canister launch: sealed tube that protects the missile in storage and makes it easy to handle
Hypersonic claim: Shaurya has been said to fly at Mach 7.5, but its path is a ballistic one, unlike scramjet cruise weapons
K-15 Sagarika: a 750 km submarine launched missile, fitted on INS Arihant
K-4: a 3,500 km submarine launched missile that is more advanced
Astra production: the Air Force ordered large numbers of Astra Mk-1
Smokeless motor: Astra’s motor makes little smoke, which makes it harder for the enemy to see the launch
Astra Mk-2: has a dual pulse motor for greater range
Tests: Astra Mk-1 was tested from Su-30MKI against targets, including at long range in 2019 and later
Dhanush as naval deterrent: adds a sea based layer
Prahaar use: battlefield strike in the first stage of a conflict
Range limits: many Indian ranges remain below 500 km because of earlier restrictions of the Missile Technology Control Regime for exports
Matching tips: Shaurya and K-15 are linked, Dhanush and Prithvi-II are linked
Place of tests: ITR Chandipur, Abdul Kalam Island and ships in the Bay of Bengal
Link: broader families are in India’s Missile Systems: Prithvi, Trishul, Nag, Akash, Agni Series
Link to classification: see Missile Classification by Type, Launch Platform, Range and Propulsion System
Caution: ranges are approximate and sources differ

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Type: Shaurya SSM, Astra AAM
Variants: Shaurya-K-15, Dhanush-Prithvi-II
Ranges: 110, 350, 150, 700 to 1,000 km
Current affairs link: Astra Mk-3 and Pralay tests
Common errors: calling Astra a surface to air missile or Dhanush air launched

As an analytical point, these missiles fill gaps from battlefield strike to sea-based and air-to-air roles. The shift towards solid fuel, canisters and active seekers shows maturing indigenous technology.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Shaurya Canister ballistic
Astra BVR
Dhanush Naval

What Came Next?

The next topic covers frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy. Next topic: Frigates, Destroyers and Aircraft Carriers of the Indian Navy.

Key People and Terms

BVR Beyond visual range
K-15 Sagarika missile
Canister Launch tube
Quasi-ballistic Ballistic with manoeuvring
BDL Bharat Dynamics Limited
SFC Strategic Forces Command

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Dhanush is a naval variant of Prithvi-II.
Shaurya is the land version of K-15.
Astra Mk-1 range about 110 km.
Prahaar range about 150 km.
Pralay range 150 to 500 km.

Do Not Confuse With

Astra and Akash Air to air versus surface to air
Prahaar and Pralay Tactical missile versus its longer quasi-ballistic upgrade
Shaurya and Agni Tactical canister missile versus strategic series

Memory Hook

Shaurya from K-fifteen, Dhanush from Prithvi, Astra in the air, Prahaar for the front.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for type, range and the base missile. These points help.

Roles Four gaps
Technology Solid, canister
Trend Longer range

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Write notes on the Shaurya, Astra, Dhanush and Prahaar missiles and their role in the Indian armed forces.”

How to Answer

Types Four systems.
Features Range, platform.
Users Services.
Trend Upgrades.

GS Relevance

Prelims: type, range, platform and variant link of each missile. GS Paper 3: defence technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Shaurya missile?

Shaurya is a canister launched, solid fuelled, nuclear capable surface to surface tactical ballistic missile developed by DRDO. Its range is officially about 700 km, with later claims up to about 1,000 km. It is the land based variant of the submarine launched K-15 Sagarika and has been tested from Odisha.

What is the Astra missile?

Astra is an indigenous beyond visual range air to air missile of DRDO with an active radar seeker and a smokeless solid motor. Its Mk-1 version has a range of about 110 km, and it can be fired from the Su-30MKI and the Tejas. Mk-2 and Mk-3 versions will have longer range.

What is the Dhanush missile?

Dhanush is a ship launched ballistic missile, a naval variant of the Prithvi-II, with a range of about 350 km and a payload of up to 500 kg. It can be fired from specially fitted naval ships and is capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.

What is the Prahaar missile?

Prahaar is an Indian short range surface to surface tactical missile with a range of about 150 km, powered by a solid propellant and launched from a road mobile launcher. It was first tested in 2011 for battlefield use and is capable of rapid fire in salvoes.

What is the Pralay missile?

Pralay is a short range quasi-ballistic surface to surface missile with a range of about 150 to 500 km, developed by DRDO on the base of Prahaar technology. It can manoeuvre during flight to avoid missile defence, and was first tested in December 2021 and later cleared for production.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 Dhanush is a naval variant of Prithvi-II.

True

A ship launched ballistic missile.

2 Astra is a surface to air missile.

False

It is an air to air missile.

3 Shaurya is the land variant of K-15 Sagarika.