September 8, 2008

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Surya-1 and 2

Country:  India
Class:  ICBM
Basing:  Surface based
Length:  40.00 m
Diameter:  Unknown m
Launch Weight:  80000 kg
Propulsion:  First/second stage solid, third liquid
Range:  8000/12000 km
Status:  Unknown

Details

The Surya is an intercontinental-range, surface-based, solid and liquid-propellant ballistic missile. Currently in development, the missile is based on the civil space launch technologies of the PSLV/GSLV, satellite rocket boosters from the Indian Space Research Organization, programs. Once completed, it will be India's first ICBM. This missile system is currently in development and delivery and testing of this system is uncertain and undetermined.


A strategic weapon, the Surya will extend India's nuclear deterrent to targets deep within China. At present, Indian missiles can only hit a limited number of Chinese targets, even after the completion of the Agni-3. However, the development of a true ICBM such as the Surya will make almost any strategic target within China vulnerable, and decrease India's relative weakness. In this manner, the Surya will provide India with a strong deterrent against future Chinese aggression.


At present, India is developing two variants, the Surya-1 and the Surya-2. The Surya-1 is reported to be 40 m long and weigh 80,000 kg. It is expected to have a range of 8000 km. The missile is believed to use a three-stage design, with one liquid-propellant and two solid-propellant stages. As the Surya-1 has yet to be developed, its payload and warhead are currently uncertain but reports suggest that the payload will be 2500 kg. The Surya-2 will have a longer range of 12000 km , which will most likely be accomplished by decreasing its payload.1

The program's confirmation is still unclear but unconfirmed sources report production of Surya-1 and the planning stages of Surya-2. The possibility of a 2008 test is pushed back due to the uncertainty of the extent of production.2

Footnotes

  1. Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane's Information Group, July 200), 57; GlobalSecurity.org, "Surya," available at http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/india/surya.htm, accessed on 5 June 2008.
  2. "Pakistan to test-fire new cruise missile soon," BBC Monitoring South Asia - Political 21 June 2006, Accessed on 5 June 2008.

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