Why in News?
India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni-5 missile from Chandipur, Odisha (August 20, 2025). The test, conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, validated operational parameters. Earlier in March 2024, Agni-V was tested with MIRV technology, enhancing India’s strategic deterrence capability.
Description:
- Type: Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), but with potential Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capability.
- Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Manufactured by: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
- User: Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
- Status: Active in service.
Technical Specifications:
- Range:
- Base range: 5,400 km.
- Extended capability: 7,000–8,000 km, giving it near-ICBM capability.
- Weight: 50,000–56,000 kg.
- Length: 17.5 m.
- Diameter: 2 m.
- Warhead Capacity:
- 3–6 tested warheads.
- Can carry 10–12 nuclear MIRVs (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles).
- Warhead weight: 3,000–4,000 kg.
- Speed: Up to Mach 24 (29,400 km/h).
Mobility & Launch Platform:
- Road Mobile: Mounted on 8×8 Tatra Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL).
- Rail Mobile: Canisterised Missile Package.
- Transport: Road + Rail (canisterised for survivability).
Propulsion & Fuel:
- Stages: Three-stage missile.
- Propellant: Solid fuel (improves readiness & storage life).
Guidance & Navigation:
- RLG-INS (Ring Laser Gyroscope – Inertial Navigation System).
- Multi-GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, IRNSS, etc.).
- Redundant micro-inertial navigation for precision.
| Missile | Type / Stage | Range | Warhead Capacity | Propulsion | Status / Notes |
| Agni-I | Short Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), Single-stage | 700 – 1,200 km | ~1,000 kg | Solid | Inducted in 2004; Can target Pakistan completely |
| Agni-II | Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM), Two-stage | 2,000 – 3,500 km | ~1,000 kg | Solid | Road & Rail mobile; Covers China’s southern provinces |
| Agni-III | Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Two-stage | 3,000 – 5,000 km | ~1,500 kg | Solid | High accuracy; Can cover almost all of China |
| Agni-IV | Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Two-stage | 3,500 – 4,000 km | ~1,000 kg | Solid | Advanced navigation; lighter composite materials |
| Agni-V | Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), Three-stage | 5,000 – 5,500+ km | ~1,500 kg | Solid | Canister-launched; MIRV capable (in future); Covers entire China & beyond |
| Agni-VI (under development) | Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), Three-stage | 8,000 – 10,000+ km (speculated) | MIRV capable (Multiple warheads) | Solid | To be submarine & land-based; Next-gen deterrent |
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