In a strong message to Beijing, India test fires Game Changing Agni V ballistic missile
Delhi -India, on Wednesday, successfully launched surface to surface ballistic missile Agni V, thereby bolstering its airspace capabilities. The missile’s test-fire was launched from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha at 7.50 pm IST. The game-changing missile uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine and is capable of striking targets with high accuracy at ranges up to 5,000 kilometers. This is being viewed as a strong message to China, experts incur.
The successful testing of Agni V is in accordance to India’s policy of having ‘credible minimum deterrence’ that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’.
The nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile Agni V is developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) and is fully capable to target entire China and also Europe, making it one of India’s longest-range missiles. Major Gaurav Arya said labeling Agni V “a formidable strategic missile”, “This missile has nothing to do with Pakistan, it does not even consider Pakistan as a possible landing target. This is an aim at China, which is very important.”
Related Posts
Agni range of missiles have been developed by DRDO, Agni V or Agni 5 being the fifth in series. Other Agni missiles currently part of India’s armory are Agni-1 with a 700-km range, Agni-2 with a 2,000-km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500 km to more than 3,500 km range.
Indian defense experts have lauded the massive accomplishment by India that has exponentially strengthened the country’s defense framework. Colonel Rohit Dev (Retd.) said, “As a deterrent, it’s a huge winning factor today in this part of the subcontinent. It’s a huge possibility today, with the emergence of QUAD members... that we have this capability which can be deployed in friendly areas as well for launch systems.” Colonel Dev also underlined timing of India’s achievement as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is being reported of increased heavy weapon deployment by China alongside the borders.