Agni V is an intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by DRDO. Important defence installations and missiles/weapons can be sources for questions for the IAS prelims exam. Hence, it is important to have a good idea of India’s defence capabilities, especially indigenously built ones. In this article, you can learn all about the Agni V missiles.
What is Agni-V Missile?
The Agni V ICBM was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is a part of the Agni series of surface-to-surface missiles.
- It has a range of 5000 km and is the longest range among the missiles India has. It is believed that the range can be extended to about 8000 km.
- It is a three-stage solid-fueled missile and is configured to carry up to 10 Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs).
- A single MIRV equipped missile can deliver multiple warheads at different targets.
- This will reduce the number of missiles which will be advantageous in battle preparedness.
- It can carry a 1000 kg nuclear warhead.
- Agni V was developed chiefly to enhance India’s nuclear deterrence against China. The missile can target almost all of Asia including Pakistan, China and Europe.
- The missile weighs about 50 tonnes and is about 17 m long. It is very agile and considered very modern.
- The missile is a fire-and-forget system that cannot be easily detected as it follows a ballistic trajectory.
- The first missile in the series, Agni I, in comparison, has a range of 700 km. Agni IV has a range of up to 4000 km.
- Agni V is India’s first ICBM and with this, India becomes one of the eight countries that possess ICBMs (the others are the US, Israel, Russia, China, the UK, France and North Korea – Source https://www.newindianexpress.com/).
- It is carried by a road-mobile truck and has a canister launch system and this makes it different from the earlier Agni missiles, in that it is easier to transport.
- The Agni V’s first flight test was conducted in 2012 and it is beloved to have been tested seven times.
China’s Reaction to India Testing Agni V
On India testing its ICBM Agni V, China stressed the need for “preserving the strategic balance and stability in South Asia”. The Chinese spokesperson also mentioned that there are restrictions imposed by the UNSC on India for developing missiles carrying nuclear weapons.
While India is part of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), China is not.
India reacted to the comments saying that her strategic capabilities are not particularly aimed at any country.
It is interesting to note that China has transferred the designs and knowhow of the Shaheen range of missiles (that can hit targets across India) to Pakistan. These transfers to Pakistan are in total disregard of China’s responsibilities under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
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