Current Affairs

Issue

India’s Strategic Forces Command has successfully tested the 5,000-km range Agni-5 ballistic missile.

 

Background

The ballistic missile was inducted three years ago but was tested for the first time by the user agency.

 

Details

• The Agni-5 has a range of over 5,000 km and is a serious contender for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) title.

• It is a long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, having the capacity to hit target with a precision that is 5,000 km away. 

• The missile can hit any part of China. It can also target parts of other continents such as Africa and Europe.

• The government claims it to posses range of 5,000 km but reports have suggested that it can go as beyond as 8,000 km.

• The nuclear-capable missile can carry a warhead of around 1,500 kg and has a launch weight of 50,000 kg.

 

History of Agni missiles

• The first missile of the series, Agni-1 was tested in 1989. It had a range of around 1,000 km and came under the category of Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile.

• Countries such as US, UK, France, Israel, China, Russia, North Korea and UK have ICBM technology at the moment.

 

Significance

• The conduction of test is in line with India’s stated policy to have ‘credible minimum deterrence’. It strengthens India’s commitment to ‘No First Use’.

• The missile is in a canister. It can be launched from both road and rail. This makes its deployment faster. It also gives the missile a longer shelf life.

• India is planning to develop Agni -6 version, which will be having a range of about 8,000 km.