Defence & Security

DRDO to Establish New Weapon and Missile Testing Range in Bengal's Junput

13 September 2026UPSCSSCRailway

In Brief

India expands its defence infrastructure with a new DRDO missile testing range at Junput in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has initiated plans to establish a major new weapon and missile testing range at coastal Junput village in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district. The facility will augment existing military testing assets in eastern India.

Currently, India relies heavily on the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located at Chandipur and Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) in Odisha for flight-testing indigenous missile systems. Increasing research momentum necessitated an additional dedicated coastal location for testing short and medium-range systems.

Junput's geographic position along the Bay of Bengal coastline offers ideal maritime parameters for trajectory tracking and safety clearance zones. The site will support test firings for artillery shells, tactical missiles, and air-defence hardware developed under DRDO's technological programs.

For SSC and Defence exam candidates, the facility location is a high-probability factual question. For UPSC Mains aspirants, it underscores India's strategic push to modernise defence testing infrastructure, support indigenisation under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', and accelerate missile deployment schedules.

UPSC Study NotesHIGHGS3 — Defence & Security; Prelims + Mains

GS3 — Defence & Security; Prelims + Mains

📌 Exam Angle

Prelims MCQ: "Which new missile testing range is DRDO establishing in West Bengal?" or "Name the coastal district where Junput is located." Mains: Essay on "India's indigenisation strategy under Atmanirbhar Bharat" or answer on "Role of defence infrastructure in accelerating missile development programmes."

⚠️ Key Concerns

Environmental and coastal zone management issues in establishing military facilities near populated villages require Environmental Impact Assessment compliance. Land acquisition from local communities and displacement concerns mirror broader tensions between defence modernisation and grassroots development. Duplication with existing ITR/Abdul Kalam Island capacity demands justification for resource allocation.

💡 Why It Matters

This facility accelerates India's self-reliance in missile systems and reduces foreign dependency—core to Atmanirbhar Bharat. Strategic eastern positioning strengthens regional security architecture against potential threats in Bay of Bengal.

🔑 Must Remember

• Junput (Purba Medinipur, West Bengal) is the new DRDO testing range location • Existing facilities: ITR Chandipur and Abdul Kalam Island (Odisha) serve similar functions • Tests will cover artillery shells, tactical missiles, and air-defence systems

📝 Key Terms

DRDOJunputPurba MedinipurIntegrated Test RangeAbdul Kalam IslandAtmanirbhar Bharatindigenous missile systemscoastal testing infrastructureBay of Bengaldefence indigenisation

DRDO to Establish New Weapon and Missile Testing Range in Bengal's Junput

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