Agni-V Successfully Test-Fired

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  • India has successfully test-fired its longest-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Agni-V.

Agni V Missile

  • It is the most advanced surface-to-surface indigenously built fire and forgets ballistic missile.
    • which once fired cannot be stopped, except by an interceptor missile.
  • It was successfully launched from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha
  • The three-stage solid-fuelled engine missile is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 km.
    • With a very high degree of accuracy and can reach most parts of China. 
    • It has already been canisterised which improves the ease of handling and operation.
  • The Agni series constitutes the backbone of the nuclear weapons delivery 
    • It also includes the Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft. 
    • It has the capability of carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes.
  • India has also completed its nuclear triad and operationalised its second-strike capability, with ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant undertaking deterrence patrols.
  • It has been developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

  • It was conceived by Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
  • Its aim was to enable India to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. 
  • The 5 missiles developed under this program
    • Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag, Akash.

Agni Class of Missiles

  • They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability.
  • 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).

Source: TH