Agni-V

Further information: Agni (missile)
Agni-V

Launch of the Agni V
Type Intercontinental ballistic missile[1][2]
Place of origin India
Service history
In service 2014[3][4] (first tested 2012)
Used by Strategic Forces Command
Production history
Designer Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited
Unit cost ₹50 crore (US$7 million)[5]
Specifications
Weight 50,000 kg[6]
Length 17.5 m[7]
Diameter 2 metres (6 ft 7 in)
Warhead Nuclear
Warhead weight 1,500 kilograms (3,300 lb)[8]
Engine Three stage solid fuel
Operational
range
 Over 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi) Upto 8,000 kilometres (5,000 mi)[1][9][10][11][12]
Speed Mach 24 (terminal phase)[13]
Guidance
system
 Ring laser gyroscope and inertial navigation system, optionally augmented by GPS/IRNSS. Terminal guidance with possible radar scene correlation
Steering
system
 flex-nozzle Thrust vectoring(all stages)[14]
Accuracy less than 10 m[15]
Launch
platform
 8 × 8 Tatra TEL and rail mobile launcher (canisterised missile package) [16]
Transport Road or rail mobile

Agni-V is an intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.[17] Agni V is part of the Agni series of missiles, one of the missile systems under the original Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. According to DRDO chief, the exact range of Agni V is "classified" or "understated"[12] but afterwards he described Agni V as a missile with a range of 5,500–5,800 km.[3] The controversial range of Agni 5 is stated to be around 8000 km as per Chinese reports.[18]

Development

Senior defence scientist M. Natrajan disclosed in 2007 that DRDO was working on an upgraded version of the Agni III, known as the Agni-V (Earlier known as Agni-III* and Agni-IV), and that it would be ready in 4 years.[19] The missile was to have a range of more than 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi).[20]

The Agni-V is expected to be operational by 2014 to 2015 after four to five repeatable tests by the DRDO.[3][4][21] Indian authorities believe that the solid-fuelled Agni-V is more than adequate to meet current threat perceptions and security concerns. The missile will allow India to strike targets across Asia and into Europe.[21][22] 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.[23] A single MIRV equipped missile can deliver multiple warheads at different targets.[23]

With a "launch mass" of around 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons) and a development cost of over ₹2500 crore (US$372 million), Agni-V will incorporate advanced technologies involving ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer for navigation and guidance. It takes its first stage from Agni-III, with a modified second stage and a miniaturised third stage to ensure it can fly to distances of 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi). 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 3,800-kilometre (2,400 mi) Agni-IV (first tested in November 2011), 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 (3,000 km [1,900 mi]).[21] According to the Project Director of Agni V, Tessy Thomas, the missile achieved single-digit accuracy in its second test.[15]

Testing

Preparation for testing

The Former 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 Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast.[21][24]

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.[21]

First test launch

On 19 April 2012 at 08.05 am, the Agni V was successfully test-fired by DRDO from Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa.[25] The test launch was made from the Launch Complex 4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island using a rail mobile launcher.[26] The flight time lasted 20 minutes and the third stage fired the re-entry vehicle into the atmosphere at an altitude of 100 kilometres (62 mi). The missile re-entry vehicle subsequently impacted the pre-designated target point more than 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi) away in the Indian Ocean.[27] The director of the test range, S.P. Das, informed BBC that all test parameters were met.[28] According to news reports the Agni-V was able to hit the target nearly at pin-point accuracy, within a few metres of the designated target point.[29]

Chinese experts say that the missile has the potential to reach targets 8000 km away and that the Indian government had deliberately downplayed the missile's capability in order to avoid causing concern to other countries.[30][31] The exact range of the Agni-V missile is classified.[12]

Second test launch

On September 15, 2013 India conducted a second test flight of Agni-V from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. The missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from Launch Complex 4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 8:50 am. The flight duration was little over 20 minutes and hit the pre-designed target in the Indian Ocean with an accuracy of a few metres.[15][32]

Third test launch

On 31 January 2015, India conducted a third successful test flight of the Agni-V from the Wheeler Island facility. The test used a canisterised version of the missile, mounted over a Tatra truck . 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."[33][34]

Fourth test launch

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing for the second canisterised launch of surface-to-surface nuclear capable missile Agni-V. Sources said preparations have begun at the Abdul Kalam Island test facility for the test scheduled in the last week of February 2016. As the missile has to traverse across the Indian Ocean, all logistic issues are to be fixed prior to the launch.[35]

Description

Agni missile range.

Propulsion

The Agni-V is a three-stage solid fuelled missile with composite motor casing in the second and third stage.[36] In many aspects, the Agni-5 carries forward the Agni-3 pedigree. With composites used extensively to reduce weight, and a third stage added on (the Agni-3 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.[37]

Mobility

"The Agni-5 is specially tailored for road-mobility," explained Avinash Chander, Director, ASL. "With the canister having been successfully developed, all India's future land-based strategic missiles will be canisterised as well."[38] 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 (300 to 390 long tons; 330 to 440 short tons) is generated to eject the 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons) missile.[38]

MIRVs

In future, Agni-V is expected to feature Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRVs) with each missile being capable of carrying 2–10 separate nuclear warheads.[39] 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.[38] MIRVs ensure a credible second strike capability even with few missiles.

Reactions to testing

Domestic

In India, the success of the launch was received with much acclaim and widespread media coverage. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the DRDO by issuing a statement: "I congratulate all the scientific and technical personnel of the DRDO and other organisations who have worked tirelessly in our endeavour to strengthen the defence and security of our country. Today's successful Agni-V test launch represents another milestone in our quest to add to the credibility of our security and preparedness and to continuously explore the frontiers of science. The nation stands together in honouring the scientific community who have done the country proud."[40] Missile program director Avinash Chander commented that the launch signified "giant strides taken by India in its integrated missile development programme."[41] The Defence Minister A.K. Antony also congratulated the DRDO chief Dr. V.K. Saraswat and DRDO team including its Programme director Dr. Avinash Chander and said that "The immaculate success of the Agni-5 is a major milestone in the country's missile research and development programme."[42][43] Kanwal Sibal, former foreign secretary of India wrote, "In reality, while self-restraint and attachment to peace do mark our policies, we choose soft options also because we are conscious of our weakness and lack of military preparedness. [..] China, in any case, possesses missiles with even longer range. Earlier it was India that was vulnerable to Chinese missiles and now the reverse will be true, creating a better balance in deterrence."[44]

Other states

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 thinktank 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.[51] “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.[52]

International organisations

See also

Related development


Related lists

Related people

References

  1. 1 2 Rajat Pandit (17 November 2011). "Eyeing China, India to enter ICBM club in 3 months". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  2. ↑ Rahul Datta (8 October 2011). "With Russian help, India to enter ICBM club soon". Dailypioneer. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "Missile defence system ready for induction: DRDO chief". IndianExpress news service. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  4. 1 2 "DRDO Lab Develops Detonator for Nuclear Capable Agni-V Missile As It Gets Ready For Launch". Defencenow. 17 January 2012.
  5. ↑ "India has all the building blocks for an anti-satellite capability". India today. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  6. ↑ T.S. Subramanian (23 July 2011). "Preparations apace for Agni V launch". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 "DRDO plans to test 10 missiles this year". The Times of India. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  8. ↑ Rajat Pandit (20 April 2012). "Canister storage gives N-capable Agni-V missile flexibility". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  9. ↑ "India downplayed Agni-V's capacity: Chinese experts". Beijing, China: The Hindustan Times. Indo-Asian News Service. April 20, 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "India successfully tests Agni-V intercontinental missile - Global Times".
  11. ↑ "India eyes Agni-VI to double range". Asianage. 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 DHNS (21 April 2012). "Agni V can launch mini-satellites too". Deccan Herald (New Delhi). Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  13. ↑ Raj Chengappa (16 April 2012). "India's most potent missile Agni V all set for launch". The Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  14. ↑ Brügge, Norbert. "India's solid-fuel ballistic missile-family "Agni"". Presentation of Space Launch Vehicles. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 "Agni-V vital: Tessy Thomas". The Hindu. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  16. ↑ Y. Mallikarjun, Agni-V design completed; to be test-fired in 2010, The Hindu, 27 November 2008
  17. ↑ "Pakistan tests missile that could carry nuclear warhead to every part of India".
  18. ↑ "Agni V missile: What is the true range?". Indian Defence Analysis.
  19. ↑ Press Trust of India. "Next variant of Agni to be inducted within 4 years: Scientist". Retrieved 26 September 2007.
  20. ↑ "Don't Even Think About It". Foreign-policy. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 Rajat, Pandit (24 February 2012). "Decks cleared for first test of 5000-km range Agni-V missile". Times of India. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  22. ↑ Chand, Naresh (June–July 2012). "India's Strategic Deterrence Reaches New Heights". SP's Land Forces 9 (9): 11. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  23. 1 2 "No intention to cap missile plan". Business Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  24. ↑ Agni-5 demo in February 2012. Ibnlive.in.com. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  25. ↑ Agni-V, India's first ICBM, successfully test-fired. NDTV (19 April 2012). Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  26. ↑ HT:India successfully test fires Agni-V, takes a giant stride. Hindustantimes.com (15 November 2011). Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  27. ↑ Y. Mallikurjan and T.S. Subramanian (23 April 2012). "Agni-V propels India into elite ICBM club". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  28. 1 2 3 4 "India test launches Agni-V long-range missile". BBC. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  29. ↑ Y. Mallikurjan and T.S. Subramanian (20 April 2012). "In Wheeler Island, a perfect mission sparks celebrations". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  30. 1 2 IANS (20 April 2012). "Agni-V can reach targets 8,000 km away: Chinese researcher". The Times of India (Beijing). Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  31. ↑ "India downplaying Agni-V’s potential: Chinese expert". First Post. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  32. ↑ "India test-fires Agni V with range as far as China". Hindustan Times. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  33. ↑ "Agni 5, India's Longest Range Ballistic Missile,Successfully Test-Fired". The Arunachal Times. 31 January 2015. Archived from the original on 31 January 2015.
  34. ↑ Y. Mallikarjun; T. S. Subramanian (31 January 2015). "Agni-V's maiden canister trial a roaring success". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  35. ↑ "DRDO Gears up for Canister Launch of Agni-V". The Indian Express. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  36. ↑ Ajai Shukla (21 April 2012). "No intention to cap missile plan". Business Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  37. ↑ Rajat Pandit (20 April 2012). "Canister storage gives N-capable Agni-V missile flexibility". Times of India. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  38. 1 2 3 "What makes 5000 km range Agni-5 missile deadlier". News.rediff.com. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  39. 1 2 "India test fires ICBM Agni V". IndiaVoice. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  40. ↑ CNN IBN: Agni-V missile test-fired: PM congratulates DRDO. Ibnlive.in.com (10 May 2011). Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  41. ↑ "Agni-V, capable of reaching China, test-fired successfully". Press Trust of India. The Times of India. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  42. ↑ "Agni-5's launch is a major milestone, defence minister A K Antony says". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  43. ↑ "अग्नि-5: पी-5 क्लब का एंट्री टिकट!". Dainik Jagran (jagran.com). Jagran Bureau. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  44. ↑ Sibal, Kanwal (23 April 2012). "Agni V a positive step on security". dailymail. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  45. ↑ "China critical of Agni-V launch, says India being swept by missile delusion". Indo-Asian News Service. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  46. ↑ "Agni-V: China tries to provoke Agni-V fear, says it can hit Europe". BEIJING: The Times of India. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  47. ↑ "Agni-V launch news floods Pak websites". Indo-Asian News Network. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  48. 1 2 Ravi Nessman (19 April 2012). "India missile test has few critics, unlike NKorea". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  49. ↑ "India has a solid non-proliferation record: US". Indo-Asian News Network. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  50. ↑ Heather Timmons and Jim Yardley (19 April 2012). "India, Eye on China, Tests Missile With Longer Range". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  51. ↑ "US supports India closing missile gap with China: Think tank". IndianExpress News Service. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  52. ↑ "US appreciates India closing missile gap with China". THE TIMES OF INDIA. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  53. ↑ "India poses no missile threat: NATO". Indo-Asian News Network. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  54. 1 2 After Agni V test, director Tessy on to next challenge, Times of India, 22 April 2012

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