SOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art missile testing range in Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh. Valued at ?20,000 crores, this cutting-edge facility, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s indigenous missile development program. The site will specialize in testing advanced surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and anti-tank missiles, reinforcing India’s growing stature as a global defense powerhouse.
Located along the coastal region of Krishna district, the Nagayalanka testing range is designed to meet the demands of India’s rapidly expanding missile arsenal. The facility will provide a controlled environment for live-fire trials, data collection, and performance evaluation of next-generation missile systems. With a focus on surface-to-air and anti-tank platforms, it will support the development of critical technologies aimed at countering aerial threats and armored assaults—key priorities for India’s armed forces amid evolving regional security challenges.
Nagayalanka’s selection as the site for this ambitious project is no coincidence. Its coastal location offers a vast, unobstructed range for missile trials, with minimal risk to populated areas. The region’s flat terrain and proximity to the Bay of Bengal make it ideal for tracking missile trajectories and simulating real-world combat scenarios. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh’s growing infrastructure and industrial ecosystem provide the logistical backbone needed to support such a high-tech facility.
The project is also expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region. Construction and operation of the testing range will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from skilled engineers to local support staff. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has welcomed the initiative, calling it a “landmark moment” for Andhra Pradesh’s development and its role in national security.
The Nagayalanka facility will complement DRDO’s existing testing infrastructure, such as the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, which has been instrumental in trials of ballistic missiles like Agni and Prithvi. However, the new range’s specialized focus on SAMs and anti-tank systems addresses a critical gap in India’s testing capabilities. As modern warfare increasingly demands precision and versatility, these missile types are vital for protecting Indian airspace and countering ground-based threats along its borders.
Geopolitically, the facility bolsters India’s deterrence posture at a time of heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific. With China modernizing its missile forces and Pakistan advancing its own capabilities, India’s investment in advanced missile systems—and the infrastructure to support them—serves as a strategic counterweight.
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