The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully test fired 1,000 km strike range sub-sonic cruise missile named ‘Nirbhay’ from Odisha coast. India’s Aeronautical Development Establishment has said the cruise missile is India’s first indigenously designed and developed long-range missile. The successful test of the 1,000 km long range missile will provide a boost to India’s defence power.

Nirbhay

• Nirbhay has a range of 1000 km and can fly very low to the ground to avoid detection by enemy radar called terrain hugging capability.
• Of the six test trials, three were failed and three were successful. No other indigenous missile has been tested at such altitude.
• The missile was primarily designed and developed by the Advanced Defence Establishment of DRDO located in Bengaluru in cooperation with other DRDO laboratories.
• Once inducted, Nirbhay, similar to U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, will give Indian armed forces a long range standoff capability to strike targets on land.