NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, DEC 15
India on Thursday successfully carried out the night trials of the Agni-V ballistic missile which has a range of over 5500 km. Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile was tested at a defence facility from Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
According to defence sources, the test was carried out to validate new technologies and equipment on the missile which is now lighter than before. The trial has proved the capability to enhance the range of the Agni-5 missile if required, sources added.
- The missile is capable of striking China, including Beijing, and complete Pakistan
- It is a powerful addition to India’s defence arsenal since it can be executed with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle
As per the sources, ahead of the test the authorities had issued a notification and declared the Bay of Bengal as a no-fly zone.
The missile is capable of striking China, including Beijing, and complete Pakistan. “Agni V is capable of reaching any targeted in the Chinese mainland…In case of a nuclear problem with China, we are capable of taking them on. We have the capability to challenge them,” Brig (retd) Hemant Mahajan said.
Nuclear-capable Agni-V missile is a powerful addition to India’s defence arsenal since it can be executed with ‘MIRV’ (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle). This means that the ballistic missile is competent in carrying multiple warheads. This MIRV capability of Agni-V will give India much-needed deterrence.
The missile test came days after Chinese aggression at Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector. Chinese troops tried to “unilaterally” change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control in the Yangtse area last week but their attemps were foiled by the Indian Army.
