India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast, marking a significant boost to the country’s strategic defence capabilities.
The launch, carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile, officials said.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Agni-5 is a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of over 5,000 kilometres. It is the most advanced in the Agni series, a family of surface-to-surface missiles that forms the backbone of India’s land-based nuclear deterrent.
Equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, the Agni-5 can carry multiple nuclear warheads, each capable of striking a different target, thereby greatly enhancing its strategic effectiveness.
For precision, it employs a ring laser gyroscope-based inertial navigation system (RLG-INS) and a micro inertial navigation system (MINGS), further supported by satellite navigation systems such as India’s NavIC and the US GPS.
The missile uses a three-stage, solid-fuel propulsion system and is launched from a canisterised platform, which allows for rapid deployment, easier storage, and enhanced mobility.
In recent years, the missile has undergone several key upgrades, including improved avionics, better re-entry heat shielding, and enhanced guidance systems.
