Specification

Details

Type

Short-Range Ballistic Missile

Developer

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Length

10.2 meters

Diameter

1.2 meters

Weight

11500 kg

Range

Up to 1,500 km

Warhead

500 kg, conventional

Accuracy

30-meter Circular Error Probability— High precision

Propulsion

Two-stage solid-fuel propulsion

Mobility

Deployed via indigenous six wheel Transporter Erector Launcher

Canisterized

Yes – allows pre-mating of warhead and faster launch response

Maneuverability

Equipped with Common Hypersonic Glide Body— evades enemy interception

Feature

Strategic Advantage

Canisterization

Reduces launch time, enhances shelf-life and increases mobility

Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB)

Maneuvers mid-air, making its trajectory unpredictable and evading enemy air defenses

Precision Targeting

With 30-meter CEP BM-04 can conduct surgical strikes on high-value targets

Modular Design

Easily upgradable with new warheads, sensors and propulsion systems

Conventional Counterforce

Strengthens India’s non-nuclear deterrence by targeting enemy command and logistics infrastructure with conventional warheads

Area

Significance

Doctrine Alignment

Aligns with India’s No First Use and credible minimum deterrence posture

Conventional Deterrence

Enhances pre-emptive conventional strike capability without escalating to nuclear level

Border Security

Effective against threats along Western and Northern frontiers (China and Pakistan) due to its SRBM range

Anti-A2/AD Capability

Hypersonic maneuverability helps breach enemy missile shields and denial zones

Export Potential

With India entering defense export markets BM-04 may become part of India’s strategic trade arsenal under Make in India - Defence initiative

Aspect

Description

Established

1958

Motto

“Balasya Moolam Vigyanam” – Science is the source of strength

Role

Apex military R&D agency under the Ministry of Defence

Technology Clusters

1. Aeronautics

2. Armament and Combat Engineering

3. Electronics and Communication Systems

4. Life Sciences

5. Naval Systems

6. Microelectronics & Computational Systems

7. Missile & Strategic Systems

Major Successes

Agni series, Prithvi, BrahMos, Akash missile, Pinaka, Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) and now BM-04

Missile Name

Range

Type

Warhead

Propulsion

Key Features

Status

Prithvi-I

150 km

SRBM

1,000 kg

Liquid fuel

First missile under IGMDP, used by Indian Army

Operational

Prithvi-II

250–350 km

SRBM

500–1000 kg

Liquid fuel

Used by Indian Air Force, night operations capable

Operational

Prithvi-III (Dhanush)

350–600 km

SRBM

500–1,000 kg

Liquid fuel

Ship-based version, naval use

Limited operational use

Prahaar

150 km

SRBM

200–250 kg

Solid fuel

Quick-reaction, high mobility

In service

Pralay

150–500 km

SRBM

500–1,000 kg

Solid fuel

Canisterized, road-mobile, battlefield support missile

Inducted (2022)

Shaurya

~700–1,900 km

SRBM/IRBM

Nuclear capable

Solid fuel

Hypersonic, silo-based, hybrid use

Limited deployment

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to India’s BM-04 missile, consider the following statements:

1. It is a nuclear capable short range ballistic missile with a range of over 2500 km.
2. It uses a canisterized system with a hypersonic glide body for mid-course maneuverability.
3. The BM 04 is developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: BM 04 is conventionally armed and has a range of 1500 km.

Statement 2 is correct: It is canisterized and includes a hypersonic glide component.

Statement 3 is incorrect: BM 04 is developed by DRDO not BDL.