New Delhi: India on Wednesday successfully test-fired the ‘Agni 5’ intermediate range ballistic missile, in a demonstration of its strategic military capabilities.
The defence ministry said the test-firing of the missile from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha’s Chandipur validated all operational and technical parameters.
“Intermediate range ballistic missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the integrated test range, Chandipur in Odisha on August 20,” it said in a brief statement.
“The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. It was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command,” it said.0000000000000000000000000000000000000
“Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni 5’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha today. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters,” the Ministry of Defence said.
The missile can carry a nuclear warhead of up to 1.5 tonnes and is built with lightweight composite materials, which improve its efficiency and reliability.
Agni 5 is equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, which would allow a single missile to deliver multiple warheads at different targets, dramatically enhancing its strategic effectiveness.
For pinpoint accuracy, it uses a ring laser gyroscope-based inertial navigation system (RLG-INS) and a micro-inertial navigation system (MINGS), supported by satellite navigation systems like 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.
