In stern signal to China, India tests 5,000-km range Agni-V

What is the News?

India has successfully test-fired Agni-V Missile.

What is Agni-V?

Agni-V is a surface-to-surface nuclear-capable InterContinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).

Note: ICBMs are guided missiles that can deliver nuclear and other payloads. They have a minimum range of 5,500 km, with maximum ranges varying from 7,000 to 16,000 km.

Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Range: It is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy.

Speed: It can reach an exceptional Mach 24 speed, which is around 29,401 km/h.

Key Features of Agni-V

The missile uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine

It is road-mobile and can be transported by a truck and launched via a canister. The canisterisation also gives the missile a longer shelf life, protecting it from harsher climatic conditions.

Satellite Guidance: The missile is equipped with a ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system (NavIC) that works with satellite guidance. So, ​​the missile can carry nuclear warheads with advanced navigation and guidance systems. 

MIRV Technology: The most striking feature of Agni-V is its MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles) technology. In this technique, multiple weapons can be installed instead of one in the warhead mounted on the missile. That is, a missile can hit multiple targets simultaneously.

What is the significance of the Agni-V launch?

Agni-V will put India’s credible minimum deterrence on a firm footing, as no missile in the Indian arsenal has the range to strike targets deep inside China.

Moreover, with the launch of Agni-V, India has joined an exclusive club of countries such as China, the US, Russia, Britain and France to have ICBMs.

Source: This post is based on the following articles:

• “In stern signal to China, India tests 5,000-km range Agni-V” published in TOI on 28th October 2021.
• “Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile, Agni-5, successfully launched from APJ Abdul Kalam Island” published in PIB on 27th October 2021.