Agni, Akash, Prithvi & more: How a 1983 Kalam‑led project forged India's missile mastery
These weapons trace their origins to the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), conceived by then prime minister Indira Gandhi, defence minister R. Arunachalam.The aim was to build domestic capability in critical missile technologies and achieve autonomy in strategic weapons. With a range of 150–300 kilometres and a payload capacity of up to 1,000 kilograms, Prithvi was intended for battlefield use and could carry nuclear warheads.
- ▪These weapons trace their origins to the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), conceived by then prime minister Indira Gandhi, defence minister R.
- ▪Arunachalam.The aim was to build domestic capability in critical missile technologies and achieve autonomy in strategic weapons.
- ▪With a range of 150–300 kilometres and a payload capacity of up to 1,000 kilograms, Prithvi was intended for battlefield use and could carry nuclear warheads.
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News/Defence News/Agni, Akash, Prithvi & more: How a 1983 Kalam‑led project remade India’s defence and forged missile masteryAgni, Akash, Prithvi & more: How a 1983 Kalam‑led project remade India’s defence and forged missile masteryTOI defence desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 15, 2026, 11:47 ISTCommentsShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLarge Night firing of the Nag anti-tank guided missile. (image credit: DRDO) Over the last few months the Agni series has been in the news after repeated successful firings, but the story of Agni — and of Akash and Prithvi — actually began in 1983. These weapons trace their origins to the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), conceived by then prime minister Indira Gandhi, defence minister R. Venkataraman and DRDO chief V.S.
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