Description

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Context:

The U.S. military has moved its Typhon launchers which can fire multipurpose missiles up to thousands of kilometers - from Laoag airfield in the Philippines to another location on the island of Luzon.

About Typhon Missile System

Feature	Description
Name	Typhon (Mid-Range Capability - MRC)
Type	Surface-to-surface missile system.
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Missile Types	SM-6 (surface-to-air, 500 km range) and Tomahawk (cruise missile, 2,500 km range).
SM-6 Capability	Surface-to-air missile with surface target engagement capability.
Tomahawk Capability	Traditionally used for ground attack, now capable of a wider range of missions.
Battery Components	4 launchers, command posts, loading and support vehicles, all mounted on trailers.
Purpose	Provides US military with long-range strike capabilities.

India’s Missile Defence Systems

System	Description
Two-Layer Ballistic Missile Defense	A system designed to intercept ballistic missiles in both exo-atmosphere and endo-atmosphere layers.
1st Layer: Endo-atmosphere	Advanced Air Defense (AAD) - Captures enemy missiles in the endo-atmosphere (20-40 km altitude).
2nd Layer: Exo-atmosphere	Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor - Intercepts missiles (300-2000 km range) in the exo-atmosphere (~80 km altitude).
Higher Altitudes	Ballistic interceptors based on Agni-V for missiles at altitudes up to 150 km (range of 5000 km).
Multilayer Air Defense System	S-400 (Russia) - Captures aircraft, UAVs, ballistic missiles, and controlled missiles up to 400 km and 30 km in height.
Alternatives to S-400	THAAD and Patriot systems are offered by the US.
Iron Dome	Israeli defense system for short-range threats.
BARAK-8 SAM	Range: 70-100 km. A joint system developed by India and Israel used on INS Vikrant (under construction).
Akash System	Range: 25 km. A medium-range system that can engage multiple targets, an altitude up to 18,000 m.
Multilayer Air Defense for Delhi	Layers: (1) Ballistic Missile Defense, (2) S-400, (3) BARAK-8 SAM, (4) Akash, (5) NASAMS-2.
NASAMS-2	US system for protection of vital assets in Delhi, covering low altitudes (5 km) against air threats, including drones.
NASAMS-2 Components	12 multi-missile launchers, AMRAAM, Sentinel X-Band 3D radars, and advanced sensors.
Hypersonic Technology	Speed: >Mach 5 (6,174 km/h). Developed by DRDO using Scramjet technology for speeds up to Mach 6.
Hypersonic Weapons Systems	Types: Hypersonic Controlled Missiles (HCM), Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV).
Hypersonic Importance	Capable of penetrating missile defense systems, designed for high speed and survivability.

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typhoon missile system

Source:

The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the strategic significance of the Typhon Missile System in enhancing India’s defense capabilities. How does it contribute to India’s position in regional security dynamics? (250 words)