BHUBANESWAR: In a quantum leap in strategic strength, India on Monday successfully test-fired its longest range ballistic missile Agni-V with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology from a defence facility off the Odisha coast validating the weapon’s capability to destroy multiple targets at one go.
This was the first test of the intercontinental range ballistic missile (ICBM) Agni-V with MIRV technology developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The most advanced nuclear capable missile system was test-fired from the launching complex IV located at Abdul Kalam Island of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in full operational configuration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the successful trial of Agni-V with the new technology and hailed the defence scientists. “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,” he posted on social media handle X.
Defence sources said the missile with a strike range of over 5000 km was fired in a reduced trajectory intended for the Mission Divyastra to validate the state-of-art technology. The missile blasted off from the confines of its canister, a hermetically-sealed airtight container mounted on a Tatra truck launching platform.
“The missile manoeuvred using on-board rocket motors and computerised inertial guidance system after the boost phase. It took up a ballistic trajectory before delivering a re-entry vehicle containing dummy warheads and then released a warhead at a pre-coordinated location. The vehicle then manoeuvred to a different trajectory releasing another warhead,” a source told The New Indian Express.
The missiles with single-warheads are usually launched against one target. The MIRVed missiles can dispense warheads and neutralise multiple targets. With MIRV technology, Agni-V can deliver 10 to 12 warheads at different trajectories depending on the requirements. With this, India joined the elite club of five nations -- the US, UK, France, Russia and China -- that have deployed MIRV missile systems.
“MIRV is a game changer technology. It reduces the chances of getting fully destroyed by an anti-ballistic missile that is capable of intercepting individual warheads. The new technology will also help deployment of decoy re-entry vehicles with actual warheads to minimise the possibilities of the real warheads being intercepted before they reach the targets,” said a defence scientist.
Developed by DRDO, the missile is capable of hitting targets in all Asian countries and parts of Africa and Europe. Once the MIRV technology is mastered, it will equip 2000 km range Agni Prime and 4000 km range Agni-IV besides the Agni-V and Agni-VI missile, which is under development.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO scientists and the armed forces for the achievement.
The mission attracted global attention with Chinese spy ships Xiang Yang Hong 03 and Xiang Yang Hong 01 getting positioned in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal regions respectively prior to the test to monitor the performance of MIRVed Agni-V.