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=== Propulsion ===
=== Propulsion ===


The Agni-V is a three stage solid fuelled missile with composite motor casing in the second and third stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/no-intention-to-cap-missile-plan/472153/ |title=No intention to cap missile plan |author=Ajai Shukla |date=21 April 2012 |work=Business Standard |accessdate=21 April 2012}}</ref>
The Agni-V is a three stage solid fuelled missile with composite motor casing in the second and third stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/no-intention-to-cap-missile-plan/472153/ |title=No intention to cap missile plan |author=Ajai Shukla |date=21 April 2012 |work=Business Standard |accessdate=21 April 2012}}</ref> In many aspects, the Agni-5 carries forward the Agni-3 pedigree. With composites used extensively to reduce weight, and a third stage added on (the Agni-3 was a two-stage missile), the Agni-5 can fly significantly more to inter-continental range.

In many aspects, the Agni-5 carries forward the Agni-3 pedigree. With composites used extensively to reduce weight, and a third stage added on (the Agni-3 was a two-stage missile), the Agni-5 can fly 1,500&nbsp;km further than the {{convert|3500|km}} range [[Agni-III]].<ref name="ref1"/><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/10/stories/2008051054681300.htm DRDO readying design for 5,000 km-range Agni-V]. Hindu.com (2008-05-10). Retrieved on 2012-04-20.</ref> Two stages of this missile will be made of composite material.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://liveweb.archive.org/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/article1637469.ece?ref=archive |title=DRDO to make missiles lighter, cost-effective |author=M. Somasekhar |date=25 September 2008 |work=The Hindu |accessdate=19 April 2012}}</ref> Advanced technologies like ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer will be used in the new missile.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112759741200.htm |title=Agni-V design completed; to be test-fired in 2010 |author=Y. Mallikarjun |date=27 November 2008 |work=The Hindu |accessdate=19 April 2012}}</ref>
"You can reduce the payload and (further) increase the range of Agni-V" Saraswat told the Reuters in February 2010.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-46059620100210?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 | work=Reuters | title=India to test 8000-km Agni-V missile within year | date=10 February 2010 | deadurl=yes}} {{Dead link|date=December 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>
Total flight duration for the first flight test of Agni-V on 19th April 2012 was for 1130 seconds. The first stage ignited for 90 seconds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-20/india/31373545_1_agni-v-dong-feng-31a-wheeler-island |title=Canister storage gives N-capable Agni-V missile flexibility |author=Rajat Pandit |date=20 April 2012 |work=Times of India |accessdate=20 April 2012}}</ref>


=== Mobility ===
=== Mobility ===

Revision as of 13:32, 21 April 2012

Agni-V
This file may be deleted at any time.
19 April 2012 test launch of the Agni V
TypeIntercontinental ballistic missile[1][2]
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2014[3] (Testing)
Used byStrategic Forces Command
Production history
ManufacturerDefence Research and Development Organization (DRDO),
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Specifications
Mass50,000 kg[4]
Length17.5 m[5]
Diameter2 m
WarheadNuclear
Warhead weight1,500 kilograms (3,300 lb)[6]
EngineThree stage solid fuel
Operational
range
Classified. [7]
Tested Range= 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi)[1][8]
Missile Range as per Chinese Experts=Atleast 8,000 kilometres (5,000 mi)[9]
Maximum speed Mach 24[10]
Guidance
system
Ring laser gyroscope and inertial navigation system, optionally augmented by GPS. Terminal guidance with possible radar scene correlation
Launch
platform
8 x 8 Tatra TEL & Rail Mobile Launcher (Canisterised missile package) [11]
TransportRoad or Rail mobile
Further information: Agni (missile)

Agni-V (Sanskrit: अग्नि, fire) is an intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India. It will greatly expand India's reach to strike targets beyond 5,500 kilometres (3,400 mi) away. Chinese experts felt that the missile actually has the potential to reach targets 8,000 kilometres (5,000 mi) away and that the Indian government had "deliberately downplayed the missile's capability in order to avoid causing concern to other countries".[9][12] . However the exact range of Agni-V is classified. [13]

Development

Senior defence scientist M. Natrajan disclosed in 2007 that DRDO was working on an upgraded version of the Agni III, known as the Agni-V (Earlier known as Agni-III* and Agni-IV), and that it would be ready in 4 years.[14] The missile was to have a range of more than 8,000 kilometres (5,000 mi).[15]

The Agni-V is expected to be operational by 2014–2015 after four to five repeatable tests by the DRDO.[16] Indian authorities believe that the solid-fuelled Agni-V is more than adequate to meet current threat perceptions and security concerns. The missile will bring the whole of Asia, including the northernmost parts of China, 70% of Europe and other regions under its strike envelope.[16] The missile was designed to be easy to transport by road through the utilization of a canister-launch missile system which is distinct from those of the earlier Agni missiles.[5] Agni-V would also carry MIRV (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles) payloads being concurrently developed.[citation needed] A single MIRV equipped missile can deliver multiple warheads at different targets.[citation needed]

With a "launch mass" of around 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons) and a development cost of over ₹2,500 crore (US$300 million), Agni-V will incorporate advanced technologies involving ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer for navigation and guidance. It takes its first stage from Agni-III, with a modified second stage and a miniaturised third stage to ensure it can fly to distances of 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi). With a canister-launch system to impart higher road mobility, the missile will give the armed forces much greater operational flexibility than the earlier-generation of Agni missiles. According to a source, the accuracy levels of Agni-V and the 3,500-kilometre (2,200 mi) Agni-IV (first tested in November 2011), with their better guidance and navigation systems, are far higher than Agni-I (700 km [430 mi]), Agni-II (2,000 km [1,200 mi]) and Agni-III (3,000 km [1,900 mi]).[16]

Preparation for testing

The Indian defence minister A. K. Antony, addressing the annual DRDO awards ceremony, asked defence scientists to demonstrate the 5,000-kilometre (3,100 mi) missile's capability at the earliest opportunity.[5] DRDO chief V. K. Saraswat told Times of India in mid-2011 that DRDO has tested the three solid-propellant composite rocket motor stages of Agni-V independently and all ground tests were over. In September 2011, Saraswat confirmed that the first test flight would be conducted in 2012 from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.[17][16]

In February 2012, a source revealed that DRDO was almost ready for the test, but there were scheduling and logistical issues since the missile would be travelling halfway across the Indian Ocean. Countries like Indonesia and Australia as well as international air and maritime traffic in the test zone will have to be alerted a week or 10 days before the test. Moreover, Indian Navy warships, with DRDO scientists and tracking and monitoring systems, would have to be positioned midway and near the impact point in the southern Indian Ocean.[16]

First test launch

On 19 April 2012 at 8.07 am, the Agni V was successfully test-fired by DRDO from Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha.[18] The test launch was made from the Launch Complex 4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island using a rail mobile launcher.[19] The flight time lasted 20 minutes and the third stage fired the re-entry vehicle into the atmosphere at an altitude of 100 kilometres (62 mi). The missile re-entry vehicle subsequently impacted the pre-designated target point more than 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi) away in the Indian Ocean.[20] The director of the test range, S.P. Das, informed BBC that all test parameters were met.[21] According to news reports the Agni-V was able to hit the target nearly at pin-point accuracy, within a few metres of the designated target point.[22]

Description

Agni missile range.

Propulsion

The Agni-V is a three stage solid fuelled missile with composite motor casing in the second and third stage.[23] In many aspects, the Agni-5 carries forward the Agni-3 pedigree. With composites used extensively to reduce weight, and a third stage added on (the Agni-3 was a two-stage missile), the Agni-5 can fly significantly more to inter-continental range.

Total flight duration for the first flight test of Agni-V on 19th April 2012 was for 1130 seconds. The first stage ignited for 90 seconds.[24]

Mobility

"The Agni-5 is specially tailored for road-mobility," explains Avinash Chander, Director, ASL. "With the canister having been successfully developed, all India's future land-based strategic missiles will be canisterised as well."[25] The missile will utilise a canister and will be launched from it. Made of maraging steel, a canister must provide a hermetically sealed atmosphere that preserves the missile for years. During firing, the canister must absorb enormous stresses when a thrust of 300 to 400 tonnes (300 to 390 long tons; 330 to 440 short tons) is generated to eject the 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons) missile.[25]

MIRVs

Agni-V will feature Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) with each missile being capable of carrying 2–10 separate nuclear warheads.[26] Each warhead can be assigned to a different target, separated by hundreds of kilometres; alternatively, two or more warheads can be assigned to one target.[25] MIRVs ensure a credible second strike capability even with few missiles.

Reactions to testing

Domestic

In India, the success of the launch was received with much acclaim and widespread media coverage. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the DRDO by issuing a statement: "I congratulate all the scientific and technical personnel of the DRDO and other organisations who have worked tirelessly in our endeavour to strengthen the defence and security of our country. Today's successful Agni-V test launch represents another milestone in our quest to add to the credibility of our security and preparedness and to continuously explore the frontiers of science. The nation stands together in honouring the scientific community who have done the country proud."[27] Missile program director Avinash Chander commented that the launch signified "giant strides taken by India in its integrated missile development programme."[28] The Defence Minister A.K. Antony also congratulated the DRDO chief Dr. V.K. Saraswat and DRDO team including its Programme director Dr. Avinash Chander and said that "The immaculate success of the Agni-5 is a major milestone in the country's missile research and development programme."[29][30]

Other states

  •  People's Republic of China – A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, Liu Weimin, said, "China and India are large developing nations. We are not competitors but partners. We believe that both sides should cherish the hard-won good state of affairs at present, and work hard to uphold friendly strategic co-operation to promote joint development and make positive contributions towards maintaining peace and stability in the region."[21] The state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the test was "a historic moment for India, and it shows that India has joined the club of the countries that own ballistic missiles."[21] However, CCTV listed some of the missile's shortcomings and reported that "it does not pose a threat in reality." More negative commentary can be found in Global Times, which reported that India "still lags behind in infrastructure construction, but its society is highly supportive of developing nuclear power and the West chooses to overlook India's disregard of nuclear and missile control treaties" and warned India not to "over-estimate its strength". Subsequently, they also claimed that India would stand "no chance" in an arms race, and that India's only aim was to "catch up" to China's military power.[31] Chinese experts felt that the missile actually has the potential to reach targets 8,000 kilometres (5,000 mi) away and that the the Indian government had "deliberately downplayed the missile's capability in order to avoid causing concern to other countries".[9] [32]
  •  Pakistan – Pakistani websites and news agencies prominently displayed news of the launch.[33] An article by the Associated Press reported that Pakistani officials showed no concern, with the foreign office spokesman Mozzam Ahmed Khan saying only that India had informed it of the test ahead of time in line with an agreement they have."[34]
  •  United Kingdom – The BBC reported that the launch marked the moment India joined an "elite nuclear club" that also included China, Russia, France, the US, the UK and possibly Israel.[21]
  •  United States – The United States stated that India boasted of an excellent non-proliferation record and that it had engaged with the international community on such issues.[35] Mark C. Toner, a US State Department spokesman said, "We urge all nuclear-capable states to exercise restraint regarding nuclear capabilities. That said, India has a solid nonproliferation record."[36] Moreover, responding to comparisons with North Korea's attempted launch of a long-range rocket that same week, Jay Carney said that, "India's record stands in stark contrast to that of North Korea, which has been subject to numerous sanctions, as you know, by the United Nations Security Council."[34]

International organizations

  •  NATO – NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that they did not think India was a missile threat, nor a threat to NATO and its allies, despite India's advancement in missile technology.[37]

See also

Related development

Related lists

Related people

References

  1. ^ a b Rajat Pandit (17 November 2011). "Eyeing China, India to enter ICBM club in 3 months". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  2. ^ Rahul Datta (8 October 2011). "With Russian help, India to enter ICBM club soon". Dailypioneer. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  3. ^ "DRDO Lab Develops Detonator for Nuclear Capable Agni-V Missile As It Gets Ready For Launch". Defencenow. 17 January 2012.
  4. ^ T.S. Subramanian (23 July 2011). "Preparations apace for Agni V launch". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "DRDO plans to test 10 missiles this year". The Times of India. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  6. ^ Rajat Pandit (20 April 2012). "Canister storage gives N-capable Agni-V missile flexibility". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  7. ^ DHNS (21 April 2012). "Agni V can launch mini-satellites too". Deccan Herald. New Delhi. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  8. ^ "Agni-4/5". Missile Threat. 19 July 2010.
  9. ^ a b c IANS (20 April 2012). "Agni-V can reach targets 8,000 km away: Chinese researcher". The Times of India. Beijing. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  10. ^ Raj Chengappa (16 April 2012). "India's most potent missile Agni V all set for launch". The Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  11. ^ Y. Mallikarjun, Agni-V design completed; to be test-fired in 2010, The Hindu, 27 November 2008
  12. ^ "India downplaying Agni-V's potential: Chinese expert". First Post. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  13. ^ DHNS (21 April 2012). "Agni V can launch mini-satellites too". Deccan Herald. New Delhi. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  14. ^ Press Trust of India. "Next variant of Agni to be inducted within 4 years: Scientist". Retrieved 26 September 2007. [dead link]
  15. ^ "Don't Even Think About It". Foreign-policy. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  16. ^ a b c d e Rajat, Pandit (24 February 2012). "Decks cleared for first test of 5000-km range Agni-V missile". Times of India. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  17. ^ Agni-5 demo in February 2012. Ibnlive.in.com. October 22, 2011. Retrieved on 2012-04-20.
  18. ^ Agni-V, India's first ICBM, successfully test-fired. NDTV (2012-04-19). Retrieved on 2012-04-20.
  19. ^ HT:India successfully test fires Agni-V, takes a giant stride. Hindustantimes.com (2011-11-15). Retrieved on 2012-04-20.
  20. ^ Y. Mallikurjan and T.S. Subramanian (19 April 2012). "Agni-V propels India into elite ICBM club". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  21. ^ a b c d "India test launches Agni-V long-range missile". BBC. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  22. ^ Y. Mallikurjan and T.S. Subramanian (20 April 2012). "In Wheeler Island, a perfect mission sparks celebrations". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  23. ^ Ajai Shukla (21 April 2012). "No intention to cap missile plan". Business Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  24. ^ Rajat Pandit (20 April 2012). "Canister storage gives N-capable Agni-V missile flexibility". Times of India. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  25. ^ a b c "What makes 5000 km range Agni-5 missile deadlier". News.rediff.com. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  26. ^ "India test fires ICBM Agni V". IndiaVoice. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  27. ^ CNN IBN: Agni-V missile test-fired: PM congratulates DRDO. Ibnlive.in.com (2011-05-10). Retrieved on 2012-04-20.
  28. ^ "Agni-V, capable of reaching China, test-fired succesfully". Press Trust of India. The Times of India. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ "Agni-5's launch is a major milestone, defence minister A K Antony says". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  30. ^ "अग्नि-5: पी-5 क्लब का एंट्री टिकट!". Dainik Jagran. jagran.com. Jagran Bureau. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ "China critical of Agni-V launch, says India being swept by missile delusion". Indo-Asian News Service. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  32. ^ "Agni-V: China tries to provoke Agni-V fear, says it can hit Europe". BEIJING: The Times of India. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  33. ^ "Agni-V launch news floods Pak websites". Indo-Asian News Network. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  34. ^ a b Ravi Nessman (19 April 2012). "India missile test has few critics, unlike NKorea". Associated Press. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  35. ^ "India has a solid non-proliferation record: US‎". Indo-Asian News Network. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  36. ^ Heather Timmons and Jim Yardley (19 April 2012). "India, Eye on China, Tests Missile With Longer Range". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  37. ^ "India poses no missile threat: NATO". Indo-Asian News Network. First Post. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
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