The Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the indigenously developed anti-radiation missile RudraM-II.The missile was successfully fired from the Indian Air Force Su-30 MK-I fighter aircraft of the coast of Odisha on 28 May 2024.

The RudraM-II is the latest and upgraded version of the RudraM-1 missile, which was test-fired from the Su-30MKI in October 2020.

According to the DRDO, all the trial objectives were met during the missile test.

The DRDO scientist and the industry partners involved in the RudarM-II missile project were congratulated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

About RudraM-II Missile

The RudraM-II missile is an air-to-surface missile which can be launched by a fighter aircraft to target ground-based targets.

The missile is the first home-grown anti-radiation missile which has been developed to target the enemy’s ground-based radar and surveillance system as part of the Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions. It is designed to destroy the enemy's air defence system, including radars, radio frequency assets, and other communication equipment.

Feature of the RudraM-II Missile

The missile is a solid-propelled supersonic missile. Accroding to the DRDO, the Rudram-II missile can carry a payload of 200 kg and attain a maximum speed of 6,791 km/h (Mach 5.5).

The missile can be launched from an altitude of 3 to 15 km and has a strike range of 350 km. The missile operates on lock-on before the launch system, and the internal guidance system allows it to home in on the enemy target.

Different from RudraM-1

The RudraM-1 missile, which was tested in 2000, has a range of 100-150 km and can reach up to speeds of Mach 2 (two times the speed of sound). The RudraM-I missile can be launched from an altitude of 1 km to 15 km.

The RudraM-1 missile can be launched only from the Sukhoi- 30MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The RudraM-II can be launched from the Mirage 2000 aircraft and from the SU-30MKI aircraft.

RudraM-II to replace Russian Kh-31As and Kh-31Ps missile

India bought its first anti-radiation missile, Kh-31As and Kh-31Ps, from Russia in 2001. Later, India bought the more advanced version of the missile- Kh-31PD in 2019. Both the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force are using the Kh-31 missiles. The indigenously developed RudraM-II will gradually replace the Russian missiles.
DRDO is the premier defence research and development body under the Union Ministry of Defence. It develops cutting-edge defence technology for the Indian armed forces.