Nirbhay missiles to be part of India's all three defence forces; can strike targets 1,000 KM away

In a significant boost to the firepower, all three defence forces will now have long-range cruise missiles of the Nirbhay class. These long-range cruise missiles can strike targets at ranges of over 1,000 KM. DRDO is developing the Nirbhay class long-range cruise missiles indigenously, which are sub-sonic in speed. "The government is considering a proposal of a service to induct Nirbhay class cruise missiles. The consideration is at an advanced stage, and once cleared, it will mean that all three forces will have the capability to use subsonic cruise missiles to strike targets," defence sources told ANI. The government had given clearance to induct the missile in the inventory of the other two services about two years ago. The subsonic Nirbhay class cruise missiles, along with the supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles, will be a deadly combination. The forces are also considering the option of inducting medium-range ballistic missiles for use in conventional roles. The defence forces recently gave clearance to induct the Pralay ballistic missiles.