intercontinental ballistic missiles

India's DRDO successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) off the Odisha coast, a development that could place any country worldwide within its strike range. This achievement signifies India's mastery of complex rocket propulsion and guidance systems, enhancing its strategic deterrence capabilities.

Russia successfully test-fired its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, dubbed 'Satan II' by the West, a powerful weapon Putin claims will enter service by year-end. This modernization of nuclear forces comes amid claims the Ukraine conflict is nearing its end.

An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, or ICBM, is a long-range missile designed to travel more than 5,000 km. Unlike cruise missiles, which fly through the atmosphere using engines throughout their journey, ballistic missiles spend much of their flight outside the atmosphere, which means the missile actually leaves Earth’s air atmosphere and travels through space for part of its journey.

Russia has successfully tested its new RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, dubbed 'Satan II' by NATO. President Putin hailed it as the world's most powerful nuclear weapon, capable of carrying multiple warheads and evading missile defenses.

India has successfully test-fired the 5,000 km-range, nuclear-capable Agni-5 missile with an MIRV system, joining an elite group of nations including the US, Russia, and China

DRDO is ready for the Agni-VI missile program pending government approval, while also advancing two hypersonic weapons programs: a glide missile and a cruise missile. The organization is also considering a conventional missile force structure and nearing completion of the Pralay missile.

India's indigenous fighter jet production is gaining momentum with the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) procurement process advancing. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh revealed plans for sixth-generation fighter collaborations and a multi-layered missile force. Diversifying production is seen as strategically beneficial, with ambitious defence export targets set to be met comfortably.

President Trump's ambitious Golden Dome missile defense initiative faces significant hurdles. Doubts are mounting over funding, congressional backing, and technical feasibility, despite Pentagon assurances. The project's immense cost, potentially trillions, is a major concern for lawmakers, particularly Republicans wary of budget reconciliation tactics ahead of elections. Key components are slated for 2028.

Missiles are central to modern warfare, with speed, measured in Mach, defining their capabilities. From stealthy subsonic cruise missiles to lightning-fast hypersonic weapons, each type offers distinct advantages. Understanding these advancements, from propulsion to guidance, is crucial for grasping the evolving landscape of global security and the ongoing race between offensive and defensive technologies.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of a high-thrust solid-fuel rocket engine as part of the country’s defence plan, according to Korean Central News Agency. The development highlights efforts to strengthen missile capabilities, with analysts saying the improved engine could support long-range weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, and enhance strike capacity.

Ballistic missiles, born from wartime innovation, revolutionized warfare by making distance irrelevant. These rocket-powered weapons, capable of delivering payloads across continents in minutes, evolved into the backbone of modern strategic deterrence. Understanding their history, function, and global proliferation is crucial to grasping today's security environment.

Former Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit stated that striking Indian cities like New Delhi and Mumbai would be Islamabad's "default move" if Pakistan were attacked by the US. He asserted that Pakistan's nuclear deterrence is India-specific, not aimed at the US, and that any aggression would be met with retaliation against India.

The United States conducted a test of its nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile off the California coast. This unarmed missile launch, from Vandenberg Space Force Base, aimed to verify the effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy of the system. The test occurred amidst ongoing strikes in the Middle East.

New Zealand and Japan have raised concerns following China's test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. New Zealand described it as unwelcome, while Japan cited China's rapid military build-up as a serious concern. The Philippines and Taiwan also reported heightened Chinese military activities, adding to regional tensions.

India has joined the US and a dozen other nations to condemn North Korea's recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch, with New Delhi voicing concern over the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies, saying they have an "adverse impact" on peace and security in the region, including on India.