Beijing> India recently carried out the second test flight of its long-range ballistic missile, Agni-5, which shows it is improving its strategic military strength. This missile can reach more than 5,000 kilometers, so it can target important places in the region, such as Beijing and all of Pakistan. It is designed to carry nuclear warheads, which makes India stronger in its ability to deter other countries. The test happened just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was going to visit China. Government officials called the test routine, but the skills shown by Agni-5 are very important for India’s defense.
MIRV Technology Enhances Strike Capabilities; The latest test follows Mission Divyastra, which was carried out in March 2024. This test showed that Agni-5 now has MIRV technology. MIRV allows one missile to carry and hit multiple targets at once. This makes India’s military more powerful and flexible. India’s use of MIRV technology is a big step forward in its defense efforts. With about 180 nuclear warheads, India is part of a small group of countries that can use MIRV-equipped missiles.
Comprehensive Missile Testing Across Ranges; In addition to Agni-5, India recently tested several other important missiles, including Prithvi-2, Agni-1, Agni-2, Agni-3, and BrahMos. Each of these missiles can reach different distances, making India’s missile force very varied and powerful:Prithvi-2: can reach about 350 kilometers Agni-1: can go up to 700 kilometers Agni-2: can cover about 2,000 kilometers Agni-3: can hit targets up to 3,000 kilometers BrahMos: is known for its speed and accuracy, and is used in many different situations. Together, these systems give India a strong ability to respond to various threats.
Development in Chinese Missile Defence; The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is working on improving its missile defense systems. Key projects include the HQ-19 and DN-3, which are meant to stop ballistic missiles in the middle of their flight. The HQ-19 works like the U.S. THAAD system and can potentially stop medium-range missiles. The DN-3 uses a hit-to-kill method, targeting objects in space or at long distances. Systems like HQ-9 and HQ-9B can protect against aircraft, cruise missiles, and some ballistic missiles.Though these systems have been tested many times, their effectiveness is not clear. Supersonic missiles like BrahMos are very hard to stop. However, it’s not clear if the PLA systems can stop longer-range missiles like Agni-5.
Complexity Introduced By Speed; ManeuverabilityAgni-5 can travel at speeds of Mach 20 to 25, and it can change its flight path, making it hard to track or hit. This reduces the time available to detect and target it. Right now, China’s early warning systems, like radar and satellites, are still being built and haven’t reached full operation.
Agni-6 And BrahMos NG; India is working on new missile systems. Agni-6 is being developed and is expected to have a range of 8,000 to 10,000 kilometers and carry multiple warheads. The BrahMos Next Generation (NG) is also in development, focusing on speed, accuracy, and being useful in different situations. These projects show India is continuing to improve its military power and its place in the world’s missile technology scene.
