Agni-V Missile

Science Affairs Defence

Agni-V Missile

India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-5, which has a strike range of 5,000 km, from Dr Abdul Kalam island off the Odisha coast recently.

Key features of the missile:

It is the most advanced missile in the Agni series with new technologies incorporated in it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.
It is a 17-metre-long Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. It can carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes and can transport a fusion-boosted fission weapon nuclear device.
Agni 5 is a fire and forget missile. That means, after it has been fired once, it cannot be stopped except by an interceptor missile. Only the US, Russia and Israel have an interceptor missile as of now.
The range of Agni V missile is 5,500–5,800 km. However, Chinese sources said that the missile has a range of around 8,000 km.
The missile covers parts of Europe and Africa in range. Another pre-induction trial is expected in 2018 itself before it is inducted.
The current range of Agni is still lower than the Chinese missiles having ranges like 11,200 km and 14,500km.
It consists of a high-speed onboard computer, fault-tolerant software and robust & reliable bus to guide the missile. The navigation systems include very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and a Micro Navigation System (MINS).
India developed Agni V in 10 years, while most other countries took over 15 years. More than 300 scientists and engineers from DRDO have been involved in making the missile.

Analysis:

Under the Integrated Guided Missile Develompent Programme (IGMDP) launched in 1983, the DRDO has so far developed and tested Agni-1, with 700 km range, Agni-2 (2,000-km), Agni-3 ( 2500 kms plus) and Agni-4 ( 3,500 kms plus range). The Agni 1&2 have been inducted while others are in various stages of tests and induction.
This missile is capable of bringing targets across China, including its prominent cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, under its range.
This successful test of Agni-V reaffirms the country’s indigenous missile capabilities and further strengthens our credible deterrence.
India already possesses long-range nuclear missiles like Prithvi, Agni I, II and II and supersonic cruise missiles like Brahmos while subsonic cruise missiles like Nirbhay are still under development.