New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is establishing new missile testing facilities in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal to support advanced weapon trials, including the next phase of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme.
The new facilities will reduce pressure on existing test ranges in Odisha and help India accelerate missile development, indigenous defence production, and future export ambitions.
Why DRDO Is Expanding Its Missile Testing Infrastructure
For decades, India’s primary missile testing activities have been concentrated at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
Read also: Chandipur Trials: Suryastra Rocket Launcher Shows High Accuracy at 150KM & 300KM
These facilities have played a vital role in testing systems such as the Akash, Pinaka, Agni, and K-series missiles. However, the rapid growth of India’s missile inventory, interceptor programmes, cruise missiles, and advanced radar systems has increased the need for additional launch and tracking infrastructure. The new facilities are expected to improve testing capacity and reduce scheduling bottlenecks.
Details of DRDO Missile Test Facilities Expansion at Junput
DRDO is developing a new missile testing range at Junput in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district. The site is located around 70 kilometres from Chandipur and will function as an extension of the existing testing infrastructure.
The facility covers approximately 8.73 acres along the Bay of Bengal coast. Its location provides a clear eastward trajectory over the sea, making it suitable for missile and radar testing activities.
Key Role Of The Junput Range
The Junput facility will primarily focus on:
- Short-range missile trials
- Radar system testing
- Coastal defence technologies
- Tracking and telemetry operations
The range is expected to complement Odisha’s existing facilities and increase overall testing efficiency.
Project Revived After Administrative Clearance
The project had faced delays after land acquisition proposals remained pending under the previous state administration. Following approvals by the current West Bengal administration, construction work and land acquisition activities have been completed, allowing DRDO to move ahead with operational planning.
Safety Measures During Missile Testing
Strict safety protocols will be implemented during testing activities. Residents living within a one-kilometre radius may be temporarily evacuated during trials, with compensation and shelter arrangements provided as per established procedures.
Nagayalanka Facility To Strengthen India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Programme
A second major missile testing facility is being developed at Nagayalanka in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district. The facility forms part of the Navdurga missile testing range project, for which the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025. The project is estimated to cost around ₹1,460 crore.
Importance For Ballistic Missile Defence
The Nagayalanka range will play a major role in DRDO’s Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence programme. The BMD system is designed to detect, track, intercept, and destroy incoming long-range ballistic missiles before they can reach their targets. Unlike conventional missile tests, BMD trials require highly complex tracking, guidance, and interception capabilities. These tests involve launching interceptor missiles that engage hostile targets in mid-air.
Advantages Of An Inland Testing Range
The Nagayalanka facility offers unique operational advantages. Being located inland, it will provide DRDO with new flight geometries and testing conditions that are not available at coastal ranges. The facility will also help validate advanced indigenous tracking systems, radar networks, and telemetry technologies.
How DRDO Missile Test Facilities Will Benefit India’s Defence Sector
Additional testing infrastructure will allow DRDO to conduct more trials simultaneously. This will shorten development timelines for missiles, radars, and other strategic systems.
Boost To Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
India’s growing defence manufacturing ecosystem requires frequent testing and certification of new products. The new ranges will provide domestic defence companies with better access to testing facilities. This is expected to support the government’s vision of increasing indigenous production and defence exports.
Increased Testing Capacity
Defence analysts believe that limited testing infrastructure has often delayed development schedules. The addition of Junput and Nagayalanka will significantly expand India’s testing throughput and reduce dependence on a small number of existing ranges.
Strategic Importance For India’s Defence Preparedness
The expansion of missile testing infrastructure reflects India’s long-term focus on strengthening national security. As missile technologies become more sophisticated, additional testing facilities are essential for validating new systems under different operational conditions.
The Junput and Nagayalanka projects will help DRDO maintain faster development cycles while supporting future missile defence and strategic deterrence capabilities.
Read also: How India Plans to Destroy Lethal Drones Without Bullet, Missile and Costly Counter-Drone Systems
FAQs
The new facilities are being developed at Junput in West Bengal and Nagayalanka in Andhra Pradesh.
DRDO is creating new facilities to reduce pressure on existing Odisha test ranges and support a growing number of missile, radar, and defence technology trials.
The Nagayalanka range will support advanced Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence testing, including interceptor missile trials and tracking system validation.
