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GS-II : International treaties and conventions Nuclear weapons

19 December, 2021
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Agni-P (Prime) missile

A new-generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test was conducted at 10.55 a.m. from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam island, Balasore, off the coast of Odisha.
Agni-P is a new-generation advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles. It is a canisters missile with a range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km.
Explaining the differences from the earlier Agni class of missiles, a DRDO official said Agni-P had improved parameters, including manoeuvring and accuracy.
Canisterisation of missiles reduces the time required to launch the missile while improving its storage and mobility.
The Agni class of missiles are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability which also includes the Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft.
The longest of the Agni series, Agni-V, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km, has already been tested several times and validated for induction.
In the past few years, India has also operationalised its submarine-based nuclear launch capability, completing the nuclear triad.
This is especially important given India’s no-first-use policy while reserving the right of massive retaliation if struck with nuclear weapons first.
As reported by The Hindu earlier, the DRDO, in January 2020, successfully test-fired a 3,500-km range submarine-launched ballistic missile, K-4, from a submerged pontoon off the Visakhapatnam coast.
Once inducted, these missiles will be the mainstay of the Arihant class of indigenous ballistic missile nuclear submarines (SSBN) and will give India the stand-off capability to launch nuclear weapons submerged in Indian waters. INS Arihant, the only SSBN in service, is armed with K-15 missiles with a range of 750 km.

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Source: TH

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