New Delhi, 15 December: India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-5 on Thursday evening, taking Europe and African countries including China-Pakistan under its ambit.
The test was conducted to validate new technologies and equipment of the missile capable of hitting targets at a range of over 5,000 km. This test has proved the capability of increased firepower of Agni-5 missile. The process of inducting the most powerful and game-changer Agni-5 has started.
India had earlier created history by conducting the first user test of nuclear-capable Agni-5 missile on October 27. It has 20 years to complete the journey from Agni-1 to the fight generation. Launched in 2002, the medium-range ballistic missile Agni-1 had a strike range of 700 km and could carry a nuclear payload of up to 1000 kg. After that came Agni-II, Agni-III and Agni-IV missiles. All three were intermediate range ballistic missiles with a range of 2000 to 3500 km. Now India has put its enemies in awe by conducting the first test of 5,000 km range Agni-5.
According to defense sources, the missile has the capability to destroy multiple targets 5,000 km away in a single launch. Now India is among top eight countries including the US, UK, Russia, China, France, Israel and North Korea that have Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). The Army and Air Force have not yet received this missile, but it has already created fear in China because its entire country has come within the range of the missile.
Defense sources said the test-firing of the Agni-5 missile is significant as it is equipped with a Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) capable of carrying multiple warheads. With this technology, nuclear weapons can be sent independently to many different targets after the missile is launched.
The approximately 17 meter long, 2 meter wide, three-stage solid fueled missile can carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes and weighs around 50 tonnes, according to DRDO.
Agni-5 can be fired from anywhere in water, land and sky on any mobile platform.
