Agni-V ballistic Missile

The nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-V was successfully tested by India.

Characteristics of the ballistic missile Agni-V

• A sophisticated surface-to-surface ballistic missile with clever construction was created as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
• The missile's three-stage solid-fuel engine allows it to travel up to 5,000 kilometres and strike targets with extreme precision. Agni-5 has a range of up to 8000 kilometres.
• The missile boasts a remarkable Mach 24 top speed and extremely high target-hitting precision.

Significance:

• The Agni-V programme aims to increase India's nuclear deterrence against China, which is reported to possess missiles with ranges between 12,000 and 15,000 kilometres like the Dongfeng-41.
• Nearly all of Asia, including the far north of China, as well as some areas of Europe, are within the striking range of Agni-V.

No First Use

• The Indian Defense Ministry claims that the Agni-5 test was successful and that this is in line with India's doctrine of "credible minimum deterrence," which supports the commitment to "No First Use."
• This comes after days of fighting between Indian and Chinese forces in the Arunachal Pradesh district of Tawang, which sparked a contentious debate in the Indian Parliament.

Missiles of the Agni Class:

• They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability.
• The term Agni means "fire" in Sanskrit, and its meaning is understood in the context of Agni being one of the Pancha Mahabhutas, the five basic elements. Others are Prithvi (Earth), Aapa (Water), Wayu (Air), Akash (Space).

Range:

• Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.
• Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
• Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km
• Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road-mobile launcher.
• Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.
• Agni-P (Prime): It is a canisterised missile with a range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km. It will replace the Agni I missile.
• Very few countries, including the US, China, Russia, France and North Korea, have InterContinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM).

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

• Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, a prominent scientist, created the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) to help India become self-sufficient in the field of missile technology.

The programme produced the following missiles:

• Prithvi (Short range surface to surface missile)
• Trishul (short range surface to air missile)
• Aakash (Medium range surface to air missile)
• Nag (Third generation anti-tank missile)
• Agni-I (Intermediate range surface-to-surface ballistic missile).

The Nuclear Triad of India:

• Strategic bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) are the main components of the nuclear triad, which is designed to deliver a nuclear weapon.

• By having three branches, the state is substantially less likely to risk having its whole nuclear infrastructure destroyed by the enemy during its initial nuclear strike.
• The triad gives the nation that has been subject to a nuclear strike the ability to quickly respond using nuclear means.