DRDO, IAF successfully flight-test indigenous RudraM-II air-to-surface missile

📌 Summary:

• DRDO and the Indian Air Force successfully conducted flight-tests of the indigenous RudraM-II air-to-surface missile on June 2, 2026
• Missile was fired from an airborne platform under "extreme release conditions" to validate all critical sub-systems and flight parameters
• Successful trial strengthens India's precision strike capability and advances self-reliance in defence technology (Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence)
• RudraM family = next-generation New Generation Anti-Radiation Missiles (NGARM) — designed to home in on hostile radar emitters, suppressing enemy air defences
• Integrated on Su-30 MKI; gives IAF deep-strike, stand-off engagement capability against ground/sea targets

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Indigenisation of technology and defence Science & Tech; Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing; Achievements of Indians in S&T.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• RudraM-II = indigenous air-to-surface missile developed by DRDO
• Belongs to the RudraM Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) family; first variant RudraM-I tested in October 2020
• Launch platform: Su-30 MKI fighter (IAF)
• Tested off the coast of Odisha (standard DRDO range — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur)
• Part of India's standoff weapons portfolio alongside BrahMos and Astra

🔑 Key Term: Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) — A missile designed to detect, track and destroy enemy radio-frequency emitters such as radars and communication antennae, used to neutralise enemy air-defence networks.