Missile Costs: How much does it cost to manufacture one missile?: Missiles are among the most complex and expensive pieces of military hardware in the world. Their cost is not fixed; it depends on factors such as range, speed, guidance technology, payload, and whether the missile is intended for attack or defense. Advances in electronics, materials science, and propulsion systems have made missiles more accurate, but also significantly more expensive.
Cost of Missile Manufacturing -
The cost of a missile varies depending on its role. A short-range air defense missile like the Akash costs approximately ₹2 crore per unit. In contrast, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, known for its speed and accuracy, costs between ₹25 crore and ₹35 crore, depending on whether it is launched from land, sea, or air.
Strategic missiles are even more expensive. India's Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile is estimated to cost around ₹50 crore. Some missiles worldwide are significantly more expensive. The US Trident ballistic missile costs approximately ₹750 crore.
Missile Construction -
A missile's outer structure, called the airframe, must be both strong and lightweight. This is why aluminum alloys are widely used. Titanium, magnesium alloys, and maraging steel are also used because they can withstand high stress and heat. Modern missiles also rely heavily on composite materials such as carbon-carbon composites and fiber-reinforced plastics.
Guidance System -
The most technologically advanced part of a missile is its guidance system. This includes an onboard computer, gyroscopes, accelerometers, a radar seeker, infrared sensors, and a satellite navigation unit. These components ensure that the missile stays on course.
Warhead and Heat-Resistant Materials -
The warhead is a crucial and expensive component. It is housed in a specially designed section of the missile. Its function is to ensure stability and safety until detonation. The missile's nose cone is typically made of ceramic or heat-resistant composite materials. Although a missile may appear small, it combines aerospace engineering, advanced electronics, precision manufacturing, and high-grade materials into a single weapon system. This is why the cost of a single missile can range from a few crore rupees to several hundred crore rupees.
