Agni-V is primarily for enhancing the Indian nuclear deterrence aganist China. Until recently, the longest range missile India had was Agni-III with a range of 3500 km. If launched from central India this range was not sufficient to reach targets on the extreme eastern and northeastern region of China. Most of the important economic centers of China lay on its eastern seaboard.[18]
Senior defence scientist M. Natarajan disclosed in 2007 that DRDO was working on an upgraded version of the Agni-III, known as the Agni-V, and that it would be ready in 4 years.[21] The missile was to have a range of more than 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi).[22]
It was estimated that the missile will be operational by 2014 to 2015 after four to five repeatable tests.[23][24][25] Indian authorities believed that the solid-fuelled Agni-V is more than adequate to meet current threat perceptions and security concerns. Even with a range of only 5,000 km, the Agni-V could hit any target in China, including Beijing.[26]
The missile will allow India to strike targets across Asia and into Europe.[25][27] The missile's range will allow the Indian military to target all of China from Agni-V bases, in central and southern India, further away from China. The missile is also likely to be similar to other missiles of the range of 10,000 km.[28] The missile was designed to be easy to transport by road, through the utilisation of a canister-launch missile system, which is distinct from those of the earlier Agni missiles.[7] Agni-V would also carry MIRV (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles) payloads being concurrently developed. A single MIRV equipped missile can deliver multiple warheads at different targets.[29]
With a launch mass of around 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons) and a development cost of over ₹2,500 crore (US$313 million), Agni-V incorporated advanced technologies involving ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer for navigation and guidance. It took its first stage from Agni-III, with a modified second stage and a miniaturised third stage enabling it to fly distance of 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi). The second and third stage are completely made of composite material to reduce weight.[29] With a canister-launch system to impart higher road mobility, the missile, will give the armed forces much greater operational flexibility than the earlier-generation of Agni missiles. According to a source, the accuracy levels of Agni-V and the Agni-IV, with their better guidance and navigation systems, are far higher than Agni-I (700 km [430 mi]), Agni-II (2,000 km [1,200 mi]) and Agni-III (3,500 km [2,200 mi]).[25] According to the Project Director of Agni-V, Tessy Thomas, the missile achieved single-digit accuracy in its second test.[17]
Deployment
According to media reports that cite official sources, the missile was being deployed by Strategic Forces Command as of July 2018.[3][30] After the sixth test of Agni-V in June 2018 the missile has been inducted into the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Armed Forces.[31]
Description
Propulsion
Cutaway diagram of Single-RV and MIRV variants of the missile
The Agni-V is a three-stage solid fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile with composite motor casing in the second and third stage.[32] In many aspects, the Agni-V carries forward the Agni-III pedigree. With composites used extensively to reduce weight, and a third stage added on (the Agni-III was a two-stage missile), the Agni-5 can fly significantly more to inter-continental range.
Total flight duration for the first flight test of Agni-V on 20 April 2012 was for 1130 seconds. The first stage ignited for 90 seconds.[33]
Range
Strike range envelope of Agni-V ICBM centered at Wheeler ITR
The DRDO chief V. K. Saraswat initially declined to disclose the exact range of Agni-V.[34] Later, however, he described Agni V as a missile with a range of 5,500–5,800 km.[23] Du Wenlong, a researcher at China's PLA Academy of Military Sciences, told the Chinese news agency, Global Times, that the missile has a range of around 8,000 kilometres (5,000 mi).[35][18][23] Wenlong also said that the Indian government had deliberately downplayed the missile's capability in order to avoid causing concern to other countries.[15][36] The exact range of the Agni-V missile is classified.[34]Business Standard reported that the range of Agni-V can be increased if needed.[37] On 15 December 2022, the first night trial of Agni-V was successfully carried out by the SFC, after which media reports stated that the missile is now 20 percent lighter due to the use of composite materials that can increase the range beyond 7,000 km if required.[38][39]
Guidance and control
A ring laser gyroscope based inertial navigation system (RLG-INS) is primarily responsible for guiding the Agni-V to its target. However, Agni-V is equipped with another guidance system called micro inertial navigation system (MINGS) as a backup. These are capable of interacting with Indian and foreign satellite navigation systems like NavIC and GPS. Both of these systems have been developed by the Research Centre Imarat. Agni-V uses a system on chip (SOC) based on-board computer (OBC) whose weight is around 200 grams for control and guidance. All stages of the missile have nozzle-based control systems.[40]
Mobility
"The Agni-V is specially tailored for road-mobility," explained Avinash Chander, the Director of ASL. "With the canister having been successfully developed, all India's future land-based strategic missiles will be canisterised as well."[41] The missile will utilise a canister and will be launched from it. Made of maraging steel, a canister must provide a hermetically sealed atmosphere that preserves the missile for years. During firing, the canister must absorb enormous stresses when a thrust of 300 to 400 tonnes-force (2,900 to 3,900 kN) is generated to eject the 50 tonnes (110,000 lb) missile.[41]
If the missile is ejected using a gas generator from the canister, then the missile could be launched from any pre-surveyed launch
location without the need for any pre-built launch site.[18]
The launcher, which is known as the Transport-cum-Tilting vehicle-5, is a 140-ton, 30-metre, 7-axle trailer pulled by a 3-axle Volvo truck (DRDO Newsletter 2014). The canister design "will reduce the reaction time drastically...just a few minutes from 'stop-to-launch’[28]
Anti-satellite version
V. K. Saraswat said that an ASAT version is technically possible: ASAT weapon would require reaching about 800 km altitude. Agni-V offers the boosting capability and the 'kill vehicle', with advanced seekers, will be able to home into the target satellite.[18]
Agni-V has MIRV capability, with each missile being capable of carrying around 10-12 separate maneuverable nuclear warheads.[10] Each warhead can be assigned to a different target, separated by hundreds of kilometres; alternatively, two or more warheads can be assigned to one target.[41] MIRVs ensure a credible second strike capability even with few missiles. According to DRDO sources, a MIRV payload would be significantly heavier since it would consist of several nuclear warheads, each of them weighting about 400 kilogrammes. A 5-warhead MIRV configuration, therefore, would weigh two to four tonnes.[10][18][29]
As of 2012, the primary module for MIRV was in an advanced stage of development. It will be deployed when deemed necessary, according to officials.[29] The MIRV capability of Agni-V has been tested indirectly in a discreet manner, according to Bharat Karnad, who was involved in drafting India's nuclear doctrine. Karnad states that the MIRV capability of the missile's guidance system on chip (SOC) was tested during the multi-satellite PSLV-C20 launch on 25 February 2013.[42]
On 11 March 2024, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi celebrated the successful completion of Mission Divyastra, the country's maiden flight test of the Agni-V missile using Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, which was developed in-house. MIRV will make sure that a single missile is capable of deploying several warheads in various places. The system's domestically built avionics system and highly accurate sensor package will guarantee that the re-entry vehicles arrive at the target places with the appropriate level of precision.[43]
The MIRV payload of Agni-V is equipped with multiple nuclear warheads, each of which is designed to be delivered at a different speed and along a different trajectory to strike distinct targets hundreds of kilometers apart. The missile defence system can be defeated by MIRV and intelligent re-entry vehicles, which is what DRDO has been working on for a number of years. In addition to the real warhead, MIRV can also use decoys to avoid detection.[44] The test signifies the successful miniaturization of nuclear warhead by DRDO.[45] The impact location of each warhead is separated by approximately 200 kilometers as it descends at varying speeds into the earth. Carbon composites are used in the manufacturing process to ensure that the warhead can survive high temperatures and not disintegrate during the re-entry phase.[46]
Testing
Preparation for testing
Canistered test launch on 03 June 2018
The then Indian defence minister A. K. Antony, addressing the annual DRDO awards ceremony, asked defence scientists to demonstrate the 5,000-kilometre (3,100 mi) missile's capability at the earliest opportunity.[7] DRDO chief V. K. Saraswat told Times of India in mid-2011 that DRDO had tested the three solid-propellant composite rocket motor stages of Agni-V independently and all ground tests had been completed. In September 2011, Saraswat confirmed that the first test flight would be conducted in 2012 from Abdul Kalam Island off the Orissa coast.[25][47]
In February 2012, a source revealed that DRDO was almost ready for the test, but there were scheduling and logistical issues since the missile was to traverse halfway across the Indian Ocean. Countries like Indonesia and Australia as well as international air and maritime traffic in the test zone had to be alerted 7– 10 days before the test. Moreover, Indian Navy warships, with DRDO scientists and tracking and monitoring systems, were to be positioned midway and near the impact point in the southern Indian Ocean.[25]
The third stage fired the re-entry vehicle into the atmosphere at an altitude of 100 kilometres which subsequently impacted the pre-designated target point in the Indian Ocean with pin-point accuracy of few meters. The director of the test range, S.P. Das, informed BBC that all test parameters were met.[48][49][50][51]
Scientists on the programme have spent the last 16 months studying the telemetry and performance data of the first test and fine-tuning all systems, including the navigation system and on board systems. During the second test, the missile hit the pre-designed target in the Indian Ocean with an accuracy of a few metre.[17][52]
The Integrated Test Range Director, M. V. K. V. Prasad, said: "The missile, witnessed a flawless 'auto launch' and detailed results will be known after all data is retrieved from different radars and network systems."[53][54]
Commanded by the on-board computer with a support of highly accurate ring laser gyro based inertial navigation system, the most modern micro inertial navigation system (MINS), fully digital control system and advanced compact avionics, the missile hit the target point accurately, meeting all objectives.[55][56][57][58]
The flight performance of the missile was tracked and monitored by radars, range stations and tracking systems throughout the flight. All objectives of the mission were met successfully.[59][60][61]
All the Radars, Electro Optical Tracking Stations and Telemetry Stations tracked the vehicle all through the course of the trajectory and was a "precision launch". All the mission objectives have been achieved.[62][63]
This was for the first time that the missile was test-fired in a lofted trajectory. The missile blasted off from a hermetically sealed canister. This lofted trajectory flight was used to determine whether it followed the perfect flight path with close to zero error. This trial completed the Agni-V pre-induction trials.[64]
The test was to validate new technologies and equipment on the missile. Replacing maraging steel with lightweight composite materials made Agni-V, 20 percent lighter. The launch also proved striking capability beyond 7000+ kms. The suspected possibility of an HGV due to the low velocity of projectile seen in night sky was eliminated when a sneakpeak launch footage was released almost an year later.[13][66][67]
First MIRV-ed test launch of the missile. The project directors will now examine the trajectory and other variables of the missile as recorded by Indian ballistic missile tracker INS Dhruv to make any operational changes if required. Another test is not planned for MIRV testing.[69][70][71]India becomes the third country in the world to develop land mobile MIRV-ed ICBM after Russia and China.[72][73]
Reactions to testing
Domestic
In India, the success of the launch was received with much acclaim and widespread media coverage. The then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh as well as Defence Minister A K Antony congratulated the DRDO.[74][75] Missile Program Director Avinash Chander hailed the launch saying it signified giant strides.[76][77]
In November 2021, India tested the nuclear capable version of Agni-V successfully, followingly the statement received by Defence Ministry was[78]
“A successful launch of the surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Agni-5, was carried out on October 27, 2021 at approximately 1950 hrs from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.” - Ministry of Defence
In March 2024, India tested the nuclear capable version of Agni-V with MIRV technology successfully, followingly the post on social media platform X by Prime Minister was[79]
“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.” - The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi
Also, Shri Rajnath Singh, the Defense Minister praised the scientists and team, describing it as an exceptional success.[79]
Other states
People's Republic of China – A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry said, "China and India are large developing nations. We are not competitors but partners. We believe that both sides should cherish the hard-won good state of affairs at present, and work hard to uphold friendly strategic co-operation to promote joint development and make positive contributions towards maintaining peace and stability in the region."[50] The state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the test was a historic moment for India, and it shows that India has joined the club of the countries that own ballistic missiles.[50] However, CCTV listed some of the missile's shortcomings and reported that "it does not pose a threat in reality." More negative commentary can be found in Global Times, a state-run tabloid, which reported that India "still lags behind in infrastructure construction, but its society is highly supportive of developing nuclear power and the West chooses to overlook India's disregard of nuclear and missile control treaties" and "warned" India not to "over-estimate its strength". Subsequently, they also claimed that although India may have missiles that can reach all parts of China, India "stands no chance in an overall arms race" with the country.[80][81] Chinese experts say that the missile actually has the potential to reach targets 8,000 kilometres (5,000 mi) away and that the Indian government had "deliberately downplayed the missile's capability in order to avoid causing concern to other countries".[15][82]
Pakistan – Pakistani websites and news agencies prominently displayed news of the launch.[83] An article by the Associated Press reported that Pakistani officials showed no concern, with the foreign office spokesman saying only that India had informed it of the test ahead of time in line with an agreement they have.[84]
United Kingdom – The BBC reported that the launch marked the moment India joined an elite nuclear club that also included China, Russia, France, the US, the UK, North Korea and possibly Israel.[50]
United States – The United States stated that India boasted of an excellent non-proliferation record and that it had engaged with the international community on such issues.[85] A US State Department spokesman said, "We urge all nuclear-capable states to exercise restraint regarding nuclear capabilities. That said, India has a solid non-proliferation record."[86] Moreover, responding to comparisons with North Korea's attempted launch of a long-range rocket that same week, Jay Carney said, "India's record stands in stark contrast to that of North Korea, which has been subject to numerous sanctions, as you know, by the United Nations Security Council."[84]
A Washington-based think tank has claimed that the US is supportive of India's efforts to close missile gap with China and is comfortable with the progress being made by New Delhi in this regard. Lisa Curtis, senior research fellow for South Asia, and Baker Spring, research fellow in National Security Policy, at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank said in a commentary, "The lack of US condemnation of India's latest missile test demonstrates that the US is comfortable with Indian progress in the nuclear and missile fields and appreciates India's need to meet the emerging strategic challenge posed by rising China. It is telling that no country has criticised India's missile test", the US experts wrote.[87] "The US change in position with regard to Indian missile capabilities demonstrates how far the US-India relationship has evolved over the last decade", Curtis and Spring said.[88]
International organisations
NATO – NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that they did not think India was a missile threat, nor a threat to NATO and its allies, despite India's advancement in missile technology.[89]
^Karnad, Bharat (2015). "Military Infirmities and Strengths". Why India is Not a Great Power (yet). Oxford University Press. pp. 375–376. ISBN9780199459223.
