New Delhi: India achieved a significant milestone in strengthening its indigenous defence capabilities after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight test of the Rudram-2 anti-radiation missile. The missile was launched from an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter aircraft and successfully demonstrated its capability to engage and destroy enemy air defence assets at long ranges.
Rudram-2 is an advanced air-to-ground missile designed primarily to suppress and destroy enemy air defence networks. According to details released following the test, the missile is capable of striking targets at distances of up to 300 kilometres, making it a potent weapon for modern aerial warfare. The successful test marks another important step in India’s efforts to develop cutting-edge indigenous military technologies and reduce dependence on foreign weapon systems.
The missile has been specifically designed to target enemy radar installations, communication centres, electronic surveillance systems, and jamming equipment. Such assets form the backbone of a country’s air defence network, helping military forces detect incoming aircraft, drones, and missiles. By neutralising these systems, Rudram-2 can significantly weaken an adversary’s ability to monitor and respond to aerial threats.
One of the most notable features of Rudram-2 is its ability to continue tracking and attacking a target even if the enemy switches off its radar after detecting the incoming missile. Traditionally, shutting down radar systems has been used as a defensive tactic against anti-radiation missiles. However, Rudram-2 incorporates advanced Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Satellite Navigation (SATNAV) technologies that allow it to remember the target’s last known location and proceed toward it with high accuracy. This capability makes evasion considerably more difficult for hostile forces.
The missile is approximately five metres long, weighs around 1,025 kilograms, and can travel at speeds of nearly Mach 5.5. Powered by a solid rocket motor, it can operate at altitudes of up to 40 kilometres and can be launched from the Su-30MKI fighter fleet of the Indian Air Force.
Rudram-2 is also capable of performing two distinct mission profiles. In its anti-radiation role, it targets radar stations and electronic warfare infrastructure. In ground-attack mode, it can accurately strike enemy bunkers, military bases, airstrips, underground aircraft shelters, and other strategic installations.
Military experts note that such capabilities are crucial for conducting SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) operations, which involve disabling an adversary’s surveillance and tracking systems before launching broader air operations. By effectively “blinding” enemy radar networks, Rudram-2 can create safer conditions for Indian fighter aircraft operating in hostile environments.
The successful test of Rudram-2 highlights India’s growing expertise in missile technology and reinforces the country’s commitment to building a self-reliant and technologically advanced defence ecosystem under the broader vision of indigenous military development.
