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Which one of the following is India’s first indigenously designed and developed long-range subsonic cruise missile which can be deployed from multiple platforms?
Explanation
Nirbhay is India’s first indigenously designed and developed long-range subsonic cruise missile. Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) under the DRDO, it is an all-weather, surface-to-surface missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads [1]. The missile is designed for deployment from multiple platforms, including land-based mobile launchers, aircraft, and ships [1]. It features advanced capabilities such as sea-skimming, terrain-hugging, and waypoint navigation to evade radar detection. While other missiles like Astra (air-to-air) and Akash (surface-to-air) serve different roles, Nirbhay specifically fills the long-range subsonic cruise missile niche with a strike range of approximately 1,000 km. Recent advancements include the integration of the indigenous 'Manik' turbofan engine, further enhancing its self-reliance.
Sources
- [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirbhay