New Delhi: In a strong strategic signal to China amidst the continuing 17-month military confrontation in eastern Ladakh, India tested its most formidable missile, the over 5,000-km range Agni-V, on Wednesday evening. The missile uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine and can strike targets with a very high degree of accuracy.
Agni-5, which broadly falls into the category of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile or ICBM, was launched from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha, at 7:50 pm.
The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have “credible minimum deterrence” that underpins the commitment to “No First Use”. The first test of Agni-5 was conducted in 2012.
Agni-1 to 5 missiles are designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). At present, apart from the Agni-5, other Agni missiles that India has in its armory are: Agni-1 with a 700-km range, Agni-2 with a 2,000-km range, Agni-3, and Agni-4 with 2,500 km to more than 3,500 km range.
In June, India test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni Prime ballistic missile – a more advanced version of the Agni class of missiles – from a location off the Odisha coast.
(_Vinayak)
