AIN Defense Perspective » May 4, 2012
The first launch of the Agni V missile took place on April 19.
May 4, 2012, 1:55 PM
India launched its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for
the first time on April 19. The Agni V weighs 50 metric tons, is 17
meters long and has a range of 5,000 km. Development has cost $480
million. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) says
it will conduct two more validation tests before starting production.
The missile is expected to be introduced by 2016, said a defense
official.
The first Agni V had a one-metric-ton dummy payload.
Compared with the previous four missiles in the Agni series, which had
two-stage solid-fuel propulsion, the Agni V has three-stage propulsion
to give it more reach, better accuracy and greater speed. “The
indigenously developed composite rocket motors performed well in the
second stage before the missile re-entered the atmosphere with
temperatures exceeding 5,000 degrees Celsius. The missile climbed 600
kilometers before re-entering the atmosphere,” said a spokesperson for
the Indian Ministry of Defence.
According to the DRDO, new technologies developed indigenously were tested, including very high-accuracy ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system and micro navigation system to ensure the missile reached the target point with accuracy within a few meters. A high-speed onboard computer and fault-tolerant software guided the missile.
China and Pakistan took note of the Agni launch. Global Times, China’s semi-official English-language mouthpiece, cautioned: “India should not overestimate its strength...for the foreseeable future, India would stand no chance in an overall arms race with China.” Pakistan test-fired a nuclear-capable Shaheen-1A medium-range ballistic missile six days later.
According to the DRDO, new technologies developed indigenously were tested, including very high-accuracy ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system and micro navigation system to ensure the missile reached the target point with accuracy within a few meters. A high-speed onboard computer and fault-tolerant software guided the missile.
China and Pakistan took note of the Agni launch. Global Times, China’s semi-official English-language mouthpiece, cautioned: “India should not overestimate its strength...for the foreseeable future, India would stand no chance in an overall arms race with China.” Pakistan test-fired a nuclear-capable Shaheen-1A medium-range ballistic missile six days later.
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