Days after Indian and Chinese forces engaged in combat in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district, the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) which operates the Agni-5, carried out the successful test of the missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island of the coast of Odisha.The test was conducted to verify new hardware and software on the lighter-than-before missile. According to defence sources, the trial has demonstrated the ability to increase the Agni V missile’s range if necessary.The Agni V programme aims to increase India’s nuclear deterrence against China, which is reported to possess missiles like the Dongfeng-41 with ranges between 12,000 and 15,000 kilometres. The Defense Research and Development organisation created the nuclear-capable missile with a three-stage solid fuel engine (DRDO).The 700 km to 3,500 km range Agni 1 to Agni 4 missiles have already been put into service. A comparable missile test was also conducted by India in October of the previous year. India strengthened its military prowess in June when the nuclear-capable Agni-4 ballistic missile was successfully launched at night. The military ministry had stated that it had confirmed India’s strategy of having a credible minimum deterrence capability following the test.
Image Source- tribuneindia.comThe word Agni means fire in Sanskrit, and its meaning is understood in the context of Agni being one of the Panch Mahabhutas, the five basic elements. Others are Akash (Air), Aapa (Water), Prithvi (Earth), and Wayu (Air) (Space). The missiles created by the DRDO have been given the names Prithvi and Akash.Although the DRDO hasn’t formally announced it, Agni-6 is also rumoured to be in development with a far larger range starting at 8000 kilometres and the ability to carry multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles.Do you think that this trail of Agni-V was done to address the urgent defence requirement over India-China clash? Do you think India is prepared to have a one on one with the global power China?
