Successful test of ‘Agni 5’ and its strategic importance
- Category
Science & Technology
- Published
2nd Nov, 2021
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Context
India successfully test-fired ‘Agni-5’, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.
Important facts about the missile
- The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have ‘credible minimum deterrence’ that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’.
- The missile is already inducted into services and is operated by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
- SFC is a key tri-services formation that manages and administers all the strategic forces and falls under the purview of the Nuclear Command Authority of India.
- The successful testing of Agni-5 marked an important milestone in defence capabilities of India.
- It uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, was carried out recently, signifying India’s defence capabilities.
- The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and can strike targets at ranges up to 5,000 km with a high degree of accuracy.
Nature
- Canistered surface-to-surface ballistic missile
- Canisterization reduces the time required for launch & improving storage & ability
Background
- The first test of the Agni-5 missile was carried out in April 2012. Last test was conducted around three years ago in 2018.
- They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability.
How it puts India’s strategic stance in the region?
- Strategic signaling: This test being conducted is being looked at strong strategic posturing towards China in the context of a 17-month long stand-off.
- China’s capabilities: In the context of a test of nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle conducted by China in August this year that circled the globe before speeding towards its target.
Nuclear Triad
- A nuclear triad comprises land-based ICBM (inter-continental ballistic missile), SLBM (INS Arihant) and strategic bomber aircraft (sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000) .
- These tests are a strong reminder to the adversaries about our capabilities.
- Agni Missile Family
- The name Agni originates from the Sanskrit word for fire and is taken in the context of Agni being one of the five primary elements of Panch Mahabhutas.
- 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
No-first use policy
- India maintains the ‘Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states’, the doctrine states that ‘in the event of a major attack against India, or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons.’
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