DRDO, IAF successfully test RudraM-II anti-radiation missile designed to destroy enemy radars

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have successfully carried out another flight test of the indigenous RudraM-II anti-radiation air-to-surface missile, marking a significant boost to India's capability to target enemy air defence systems.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the missile was tested under extreme release conditions and successfully met all mission objectives. While the ministry did not specify the launch platform, images released after the test indicated that the missile was fired from an IAF Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.

Successful test under extreme conditions

According to the MoD, the missile was launched under challenging flight conditions to validate the performance of all critical subsystems.

“The missile after release was guided to a predefined target with pin-point accuracy. All the test objectives were fully met as confirmed by the flight data captured by various range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur,” the ministry said.

More from India

Anti-radiation missiles are designed to detect, track and destroy enemy radar installations, communication systems and other radio-frequency emitters that form a key part of air defence networks.

Developed to strengthen SEAD capability

The RudraM series has been developed to enhance the IAF's Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capability.

Such missiles are typically used during the initial stages of an air campaign to neutralise enemy air defence assets from stand-off ranges, improving the survivability of friendly aircraft during subsequent operations.

So far, three variants of the missile — RudraM-I, RudraM-II and RudraM-III — have been developed, with extensive testing already completed for the first two versions.

Indigenous development effort

RudraM-II has been developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with several other laboratories, including the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and the Integrated Test Range (ITR).

The project also received support from development-cum-production partners, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Regional Centre for Military Airworthiness, the Missile System Quality Assurance Agency and several private-sector industries.

Rajnath Singh lauds DRDO and IAF

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the IAF and all participating agencies for the successful test.

The latest trial further strengthens India's indigenous missile development programme and enhances the country's ability to counter sophisticated enemy air defence systems during future operations.