Context: India has successfully tested an Agni-V missile equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology, joining a small group of countries with this capability.
Agni missile Series
- Agni missile is a series of nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile systems. The medium to intercontinental-range ballistic missiles.
- Indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is a crucial component of India's nuclear deterrent strategy.
- The Agni series of missiles include:
- Agni-1 (Range ~ 700-800 km)
- Agni-2 (~ 2000 km)
- Agni-3 (~ 3000 km)
- Agni-4 (~ 4000 km)
- Agni-5 (> 5000 km)
- Agni-6 (Underdevelopment, > 7000 km)
- The Agni missile is propelled by a solid rocket propellant system. Solid propellants are composed of a mixture of fuel and oxidizers bound together in a solid form. They provide high thrust, simplicity of operation, and relatively long storage life, making them suitable for ballistic missile applications.
- The missile is equipped with a special navigation system to ensure pinpoint precision targeting.
Agni-V integrated with MIRV
- Agni-V is the ballistic missile (ICBM) of India powered by a three-stage solid-rocket-powered missile system capable of delivering a 1.5-tonne nuclear warhead.
- Range: It can travel more than 5,000 km, and can potentially enter the intercontinental range as well, considered to be 5,500 km and above.
- In the latest update, the missile has been integrated with the MIRV technology.
- Traditional missiles carry a single warhead, or weapon, that goes and hits the intended target.
- MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology is the capability that allows multiple warheads to be loaded on a single missile delivery system and programmed to hit different targets, thus greatly enhancing the missile’s destructive potential. The missile India tested can carry three to four warheads.
- Presently, the MIRV technology is only with the United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, and the United States.
- Apart from inflicting crippling damage on the enemy, these missiles have the ability to penetrate missile defence systems.
- A missile defence system is a network of technologies aimed at detecting, tracking, intercepting and destroying an incoming missile. It involves the deployment of sophisticated radars, communication systems, and interceptor missiles. It is considered a good safeguard against traditional missiles, and several countries are in the process of developing or strengthening their missile defence systems.
- MIRV-equipped missiles can render the missile defence system useless. Multiple warheads, each with an independent trajectory, can make the job of tracking and intercepting extremely complicated. In addition, MIRV-equipped missiles can be made to carry decoy warheads to confuse the defence system. (Decoy warheads are fake or dummy warheads that are launched alongside a real warhead to confuse enemy missile defence systems).
Significance:
- Incredible deterrence: India has a no-first use policy for nuclear weapons, hence, the missile can offer incredible deterrence to prevent a nuclear attack, with its capability to cause crippling damage in a response strike.