After four to five repeated tests, the solid-fuelled Agni-V, according to Indian authorities, is more than enough to match current threat perceptions and security concerns. The Agni-V could accomplish any goal in China, including Beijing, despite its limited variety of barely 5,000 kilometers.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation created the Agni-V, an Indian nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The missile’s variety has been estimated to be between 5,000 and 8,000 kilometers. It’s a three-stage, truck-transported, solid-fueled intercontinental missile that fires from a canister.
The main aim of Agni V is to strengthen India’s nuclear deterrent against China. Until recently, India’s longest-range missile was the Agni-III, which had a variety of 3000–3500 kilometers. This was not enough to reach targets in China’s far eastern and northeastern areas. China’s eastern shore is home to the majority of the country’s major economic hubs.
M. Natarajan, a senior defense scientist, said in 2007 that the DRDO was working on an improved version of the Agni III, dubbed the Agni-V, that would be ready in four years. It was planned that the missile would have a wide variety of more than 5,000 kilometers (3,100 mi).
India would be able to hit targets all around Asia and even Europe with the missile. The Indian military would be able to attack China from Agni-V installations in central and southern India, which are further distant from China, due to the missiles reach. In addition, the missile is projected to be similar to existing 10,000-kilometer-range missiles.
The missile was constructed using a canister-launch missile system, which is different from the previous Agni missiles, to make it simple to be transported by road. MIRV payloads (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles) are being developed for Agni-V at the same time. A single MIRV-equipped missile may deliver several warheads to multiple targets.
Agni-V made use of cutting-edge technologies, ring laser gyroscope, and accelerometer for navigation and guidance, with a launch mass of roughly 50 tonnes (49 long tonnes; 55 short tonnes) and a development cost of over 2,500 crores (US$332 million). It used Agni-first III’s stage, then combined it with a modified second stage and a downsized third stage to fly 5,000 kilometers (3,100 mi). To save weight, the second and third levels are entirely built of composite material.
The missile, which has a canister-launch mechanism for increased road mobility, would provide a large increase in operational freedom to the military forces than the past generation of Agni missiles. According to a source, Agni-V and Agni-IV (3800 km [2375 mi]) have a significant benefit in guiding and navigation systems over Agni-I (700 km [430 mi]), Agni-II (2,000 km [1,200 mi]), and Agni-III (700 km [430 ]). (3,000 km [1,900 mi]). The missile achieved single-digit accuracy in its second test, according to Tessy Thomas, Agni V’s Project Director.
Preparation for testing:
Addressing the annual DRDO award ceremony, former Indian defense minister A. K. Antony urged the military scientists to show the 5,000-kilometer (3,100-mile) missile feasible. In mid-2011, DRDO Director V. K. The three Agni-V solid-propellant composite rocket engine stages had been independently tested, Saraswat notified the Times of India, and all ground testing had been over. Saraswat announced in September 2011 that the first test flight will take place in 2012 from Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa.
According to a source, the DRDO was almost ready for the test in February 2012, but there were scheduling and logistical concerns because the missile would be flying halfway across the Indian Ocean. 7– 10 days before the test, countries including Indonesia and Australia, plus the international aviation and sea traffic in the testing zones, must be notified. Furthermore, Indian Navy warships were to be stationed midway and around the effective factor in the southern Indian Ocean, accompanied by DRDO scientists and tracking and monitoring devices.
India declared on Wednesday that it successfully tested the 5,000-kilometer-range Agni-5 missile from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, a crucial step in the right direction of nuclear deterrent against China.
According to the defense ministry, the successful test of the Agni-5 missile is in keeping with India’s stated targets of having a credible minimum deterrent that reinforces the commitment to no first use.
Because no missile in India’s arsenal has the ability to strike targets deep into China, the missile, which is being integrated into the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), would place India’s credible minimum deterrent on a stable foundation.
According to the press release, “the missile, which has a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, is capable of targeting targets at ranges of up to 5,000-kilometer with unrivaled accuracy.” The missile has been tested several times since its first launch almost a decade ago.
The most recent test comes, as India and China are involved in a disagreement over the boundary of the Ladakh sector, while the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has ramped up military operations in the eastern sector, including Arunachal Pradesh.
The indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant conducted its maiden deterrent patrol in 2018, completing India’s nuclear testing. India can launch nuclear attacks using fighter jets, land-based missiles, and ships. Nuclear warheads can be delivered by the Agni series of ballistic missiles and fighters, as Rafales, Sukhoi-30s, and Mirage-2000s. India is also achieving a new class of ultra-modern weaponry capable of traveling six times the speed of sound (Mach 6) and that any missile can be pierced by the defense system.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation created and developed the Agni-1 to 5 missiles (DRDO). Apart from the Agni-5, India currently has the following Agni missiles in its arsenal: Agni-1 with a variety of 700 kilometers, Agni-2 with a variety of 2,000 kilometers, Agni-3, and Agni-4 with a variety of 2,500 kilometers to more than 3,500 kilometers.
Â
Edited by Anupama Roy
