Nirbhay is India's first indigenously designed and developed long-range cruise missile. This was the final developmental flight trial of the nuclear-capable cruise missile, also the country’s first indigenously designed and developed long-range cruise missile

India on Monday successfully test fired India's 1,000 km strike range sub-sonic cruise missile from Odisha coast.

India on Monday successfully test fired India's 1,000 km strike range sub-sonic cruise missile from Odisha coast. This is India's first indigenously designed and developed long-range cruise missile. The Nirbhay is a subsonic long-range land attack cruise missile that can be armed with a 300-kilogram warhead. The nuclear-capable, solid fuel, missile is capable of reaching speeds of 0.6-0.7 Mach and can strike land targets at a distance of up to 1,000 kilometres, according to reports.

The missile was developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) a lab under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The surface version of Nirbhay missile was first test fired for the first time on 12 March 2013 from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Balasore district of Odisha. The test was a partial success as the missile took off, reached the second stage of propulsion, and travelled 30 per cent of its range and completed most of the mission objectives.

Nirbhay adds a new dimension to India's attack capabilities along with BrahMos cruise missile. BrahMos, a potent supersonic missile in the Indian arsenal, is the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile in operation. The missile travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. Nirbhay flies slower and closer to ground and this gives it capability to avoid detection by enemy radars.

Cruise missiles fly at a low altitude, mostly to avoid radar detection, and can be guided throughout its path. They fly within the earth's atmosphere and use jet engine technology. These vehicles vary greatly in their speed and ability to penetrate defences.

Reportedly, the Ministry of Defence had even considered axing the programme on multiple occasions over technical issues with the weapon system, funding difficulties, and questions over the operational need for such a missile.

However, Jane’s Defence Weekly had reported way back in February that the programme was on track. It had quoted a DRDO official as saying, “Once the technology behind the missile is certified, there is a proposal to develop an air-launched variant of the Nirbhay within two to three years.”

It will eventually supplement the role played by BrahMos missile for the Indian Armed Forced by delivering warheads farther than the 450 km range of BrahMos.

Agencies