SOURCE: AFI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Navdurga Missile Test Range in Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh, on May 2, 2025, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s defense infrastructure. Valued at ?1,460 crore (approximately $170 million), this state-of-the-art facility, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is poised to enhance India’s capabilities in testing advanced tactical missile systems, including surface-to-air and anti-tank missiles. The project, part of a broader ?58,000 crore development initiative unveiled during the Prime Minister’s visit to Amaravati, underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense technology under the “Make in India” initiative.
Located in Gullalamoda village, Nagayalanka mandal, Krishna district, the missile test range will span over 300 acres near the coastal town of Machilipatnam, leveraging the region’s strategic geography at the confluence of the Krishna River and the Bay of Bengal. The facility will feature a launch control center, multiple launch pads, indigenous radars, telemetry, and electro-optical tracking systems, enabling comprehensive testing of both short- and long-range missile missions. Its coastal location offers a vast, unobstructed range for live-fire trials, with minimal risk to populated areas, making it ideal for simulating real-world combat scenarios.
Speaking at the inauguration, PM Modi described the Navdurga Testing Range as a “force multiplier for India’s defense strength,” drawing inspiration from Maa Durga’s divine power. He emphasized its role in advancing India’s indigenous missile development program, particularly for systems critical to protecting airspace and countering ground-based threats. The facility will complement the DRDO’s existing Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, addressing a gap in specialized testing for tactical missiles like the Extended Range Surface-to-Air Missile (XRSAM) and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
The project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in October 2024, has been in development since 2012, with significant milestones including environmental clearance in 2018 and a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in 2019. Despite delays attributed to land acquisition and political transitions, the initiative has gained momentum under Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who hailed it as a “landmark moment” for the state’s role in national security. The test range is expected to be completed within three years of land allocation, with operations potentially commencing by 2028.
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