In a significant boost to its strategic defense capabilities, India has successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable ‘Agni-5’ missile from the Integrated Test Range at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The launch, conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, validated all operational and technical parameters of the indigenously developed missile.
The Agni-5 is India’s most advanced long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, with a range of over 5,000 kilometers. Its successful test once again demonstrated India’s capability to strike targets across vast distances, cementing its position as a major strategic power. The missile is designed to be road-mobile and canister-launched, enhancing its operational flexibility and survivability.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Agni-5 is a three-stage solid-fueled missile. It is equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including a highly accurate navigation and guidance system. Notably, the Agni-5 is also a precursor to the development of systems with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, which allows a single missile to deliver multiple nuclear warheads to different targets.
The successful test fire of the Agni-5 is a crucial element of India’s ‘credible minimum deterrence’ policy and ‘no first use’ doctrine. The missile, with its extensive reach, brings nearly the entire continent of Asia and parts of Europe within its striking range. This test further solidifies India’s strategic deterrent and its commitment to self-reliance in the defense sector. The launch was monitored by a host of sophisticated tracking systems and radars, which confirmed the successful validation of the mission’s objectives.
