During the Sino-Indian War in 1962, which it lost terribly, India felt the need of ingenious missile system. Keeping in mind the same need for missile system for Indian forces, Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) launched the Integrated
Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in July 26,
1983. The principal aim of IGMDP was to develop a family
of strategic and tactical guided missiles based
on local design and development for three defence
services.
Dr. Abdul Kalam, who had previously been the project director for the SLV-3 programme at ISRO, was inducted as the DRDL(Defence Research & Development Laboratory) Director in 1983 to conceive and lead it. Dr. Kalam, headed a Missile Study Team to weigh the feasibility
of the programme. Keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the
defence forces, the team recommended development of five missile systems
The missiles to be developed under the programme were:--
- Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Prithvi
- Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni
- Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile Trishul
- Medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash
- Third generation anti-tank missile Nag
However, India's quest for missile technology has not been smooth. After India
test-fired the first Prithvi missile in 1988 and the first Agni missile
in 1989, the Missile Technology Control Regime, led by Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, decided
to restrict access to any technology that would help India in its
missile development programme.
To counter western
monopoly over critical missile technology, India had to become
self-reliant. A slew of public sector firms with independent research
laboratories were set up throughout country to develop the technologies,
the sub systems, the materials, the testing facilities.
IGMDP provided backbone to the Indian defense system. This program was extensively planned by Abdul Kalam and his colleagues to exploit national strength and capabilities..
In a way Indian missile programme is developed by all the talent, skills and technologies present in India at that time. Different technologies was fabricated, developed and tested by different institutions and than assembled together.
Prithvi was the first missile to be developed under this programme, and the first ever missile to be inducted in the Indian defense services.
IGMDP is the story of India's journey to become self reliant in missile technology.
If you want to know more about it just read Abdul Kalam's Wings Of Fire.
For the detail timeline of events visit here.