Where Does India Test Its Missiles?
Before any missile is handed over to the Armed Forces, it must be rigorously tested in a safe environment. These tests require massive, empty spaces where scientists can track the missile’s flight path using radars without endangering civilian populations. In India, the eastern coastline is the primary hub for this highly classified activity.
1. The Integrated Test Range (ITR)
The Integrated Test Range (ITR) is a state-of-the-art testing facility operated by the DRDO. It is located in the state of Odisha and is divided into two primary launch complexes.
A. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island
- Former Name: It was previously known as Wheeler Island. The Government of India renamed it in 2015 to honour India’s ‘Missile Man’ and former President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
- Location: It is a small island located about 10 kilometres off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal.
- Primary Purpose: This is India’s most advanced testing facility. It is heavily guarded and specifically used for testing long-range strategic missiles, especially the Agni series, the K-Family submarine-launched missiles, and the interceptor missiles of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield.
- Significance: It is the only place in India with the massive infrastructure required to safely launch Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) like the Agni-V.
B. Chandipur-on-Sea
- Location: A coastal area located in the Balasore district of Odisha, a short distance away from Abdul Kalam Island.
- Primary Purpose: While the island handles long-range strategic missiles, the Chandipur range is used for testing shorter-range tactical weapons. Missiles like Prithvi, Akash, BrahMos, and the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher are tested here.
- Unique Geographical Advantage: The Chandipur beach has a rare natural phenomenon—the sea water recedes (pulls back) by up to 5 kilometres during low tide every day. This creates a massive, hard, and flat sand surface. If scientists need to recover fired test shells or missile debris to study their performance, they can easily drive vehicles directly onto the dry sea bed to collect them.
Must-Know Concept: Why are Missile Ranges Located on the East Coast?
- Safety Corridors: If a missile malfunctions or fails during a test, it will safely crash into the vast, unpopulated waters of the Bay of Bengal. If the range were located in central India, a failed missile could crash into a city or village.
- Earth’s Rotation: The Earth rotates from West to East. By launching missiles towards the East (over the Bay of Bengal), the missile naturally gains an extra boost of velocity from the Earth’s rotational spin. This saves rocket fuel and allows the missile to carry a heavier payload.
Pokhran Test Range (PTR)
While the Odisha coast is used for developmental testing by scientists, the military also needs to test weapons in realistic battlefield conditions.
- Location: Located in the vast Thar desert of the Jaisalmer district in Rajasthan.
- Purpose: The Pokhran range is managed by the Indian Army. It is primarily used for “User Trials”. Once DRDO finishes building a weapon like the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile or an artillery gun, the Army takes it to the harsh desert environment of Pokhran to test it before officially inducting it into the forces.
- Historical Significance: Pokhran is most famous globally for being the site of India’s underground nuclear tests: Smiling Buddha (1974) and Operation Shakti (1998).
