On 11th March at around 5.30 in the evening Prime Minister Modi wrote on social media platform X, ‘proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed AGNI-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.’ This was the time when country came to know that our scientists had successfully test-fired AGNI-5, an ICBM with MIRV technology.
The first successful test of Agni-5 was conducted in the year 2012. At that time, DRDO’s Director General V.K. Saraswat had said that India is working on MIRV technology. Now Prime Minister has informed that the missile is indigenously developed. That means our scientists have developed MIRV technology on their own.
What is MIRV technology?
Britannica writes, ‘any of several nuclear warheads carried on the front end, or “bus,” of a ballistic missile. Each MIRV allows separately targeted nuclear warheads to be sent on their independent ways after the main propulsion stages of the missile launch have shut down. The warheads can be released from the bus at different speeds and on different trajectories.’ In short, the technology enables any ICBM to carry many warheads at any point of time and with this technology AGNI-V is like a bus. Brahma Chellaney, a well-known strategic thinker, describes on X, ‘The MIRVed missile test demonstrates India’s success in developing re-entry vehicles small enough to arm a ballistic missile with multiple warheads. (How many warheads the new Divyastra missile system carried is not known at the moment). MIRVed missiles will enhance survivability of the Indian nuclear arsenal against an enemy’s first strike. MIRVs are also useful to defeat the other side’s missile defenses. A salvo of multiple warheads would be able to overwhelm and penetrate ballistic missile defense interceptors. To be sure, more MIRVed missile tests would be needed before India deploys its new capability.’
Which countries are equipped with MIRV?
MIRV technology was first developed by the United States. By the late 20th century both the United States and the Soviet Union had many intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles equipped with MIRVs. According to media reports, missiles equipped with MIRV technology are currently possessed by Russia, China, United States, France, and UK. Reports claim that Pakistan is also trying for this technology.
Capabilities of AGNI-5
This is India’s only surface to surface Inter Continental Ballistic Missile and can be launched from land or submarines stationed in the sea. The range of Agni 5 is five thousand kilometers. That means almost entire China is in its range. Not only that some parts of Europe and Africa will also be in its range. Agni-5 ballistic missile is capable of carrying multiple warheads simultaneously. It can be launched for multiple targets simultaneously. It can carry nuclear warheads of up to one and a half tons. Agni-5 is equipped with sensors that enable it to reach its target without any errors. Its speed is Mach 24, which is 24 times the speed of sound. Canister technology has been used in the launching system. Because of this, this missile can be transported easily anywhere. It is also very easy to use, which is why its deployment can be done anywhere in the country.
Importance of Agni 5
It has been developed under Mission Divyashtra. The desire for the program is being seen in conjunction with regional competition with China, and India could benefit from it. Supposedly this is necessary to prevent the growing imbalance of land-based missile capabilities because it is believed that India has limited missiles that can target Chinese cities. Experts say that, India should not lag behind in terms of sea-based reliable nuclear deterrents. India believes that if China ever considers deploying a ballistic missile defense system i.e. BMD, then India can respond to it with Agni-5.
–By Manish
