On March 11, the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) conducted the inaugural test of its domestically produced Agni-V MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle) missile.
As per a Ministry of Defense press release, the test flight, named Mission Divyastra, was launched from a missile launch site on Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha in eastern India. The launch was tracked and monitored by various telemetry and radar stations, confirming that the mission “achieved the specified parameters.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commended the DRDO scientists for the successful MIRV missile test.
MIRV capability is a sophisticated technology, and India’s recent test places it among a select group of countries – the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China – that have developed this technology. With MIRV technology, a single intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) can carry and deploy multiple warheads at various locations hundreds of kilometers apart. While the Agni-V currently has an officially stated range of 5,000 km, technically categorizing it as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), reports suggest its actual range might be closer to 8,000 km, qualifying it as an ICBM.
Most analysts indicate that the MIRV-equipped Agni-V could potentially carry four to six warheads, with some sources like Air Marshal Anil Chopra suggesting it could carry 10-12 warheads. MIRVed missiles can also include decoys, complicating the identification of actual warheads and challenging missile defense systems.
The development of MIRV capability is seen as enhancing India’s nuclear deterrence capability. However, experts argue that further tests are required to fully operationalize MIRV capability for the Agni-V missile.
Ahead of the test, in accordance with India’s commitments under the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC), India informed countries like Australia and Indonesia, as well as air and maritime traffic in the test area, about the impending test. Indian Navy warships with DRDO scientists and tracking systems were deployed in the southern Indian Ocean, where the missile test was conducted.
The Agni-V missile has undergone various tests since 2012. In December 2022, the Indian Strategic Forces Command carried out the first night trial of the Agni-V, showcasing significant weight reduction in the missile to enable strikes beyond 7,000 km. This weight reduction was achieved by replacing steel components with composite materials, similar to modifications done on earlier Agni-III missiles to extend their range.
Ajai Shukla, an Indian military analyst, proposed further weight reduction in the Agni-V missile through the use of lighter, more reliable components like lightweight composite materials and electro-mechanical actuators. These modifications not only reduce weight but also address operational issues and enhance the missile’s range.
While MIRV technology presents advantages, challenges such as miniaturization of nuclear warheads, advanced guidance systems, and ensuring the reliability of re-entry vehicles remain. India’s MIRV system is equipped with indigenous avionics and high-precision sensors to ensure accurate targeting.
The pursuit of MIRV capability is expanding globally, with countries like China, Pakistan, and North Korea also exploring this technology. The implications of such developments could lead to a costly arms race, particularly in South Asia, prompting concerns about strategic stability and regional security.
The future trajectory of strategic capabilities in the region largely depends on China’s actions and responses. The evolving nuclear dynamics in Asia underscore the importance of responsible decision-making and diplomatic engagement to prevent a destabilizing arms buildup.
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