In a major advancement for India’s defense, the Ministry of Defence announced the successful launch of the Agni-4 intermediate-range ballistic missile on Friday. The missile was tested at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, where it met all operational and technical requirements.
The Agni-4 is a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers and the capability to carry nuclear warheads. This successful launch further enhances India’s strategic deterrence, following the successful test of the new Agni-Prime missile in April. The Agni-Prime test, conducted from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, demonstrated India’s progress in missile technology.
India Successfully Tests Agni-4 Missile
India has successfully tested its Agni-4 Ballistic Missile, as announced by officials on Friday. The test took place at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.
The Agni-4 is an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) that can travel up to 4,000 kilometers. This means it can hit targets at a great distance. The missile is 20 meters long and can carry a heavy payload of up to 1,000 kilograms. It can be launched from a vehicle that can move on roads, which makes it flexible and easy to deploy.
This recent test showed that the Agni-4 performed well, meeting all the required standards for both its operational and technical aspects. The test was overseen by the Strategic Forces Command, which is a part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA), responsible for the country’s strategic missile operations.
In a previous test in 2012, the Agni-4 traveled over 3,000 kilometers in just 20 minutes. At that time, it was the longest-range missile test conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Agni-4 was initially called the Agni-2 Prime before it was renamed.
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Agni-5 Missile
In March, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful test of its new Agni-5 missile, which now comes with advanced MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology. This test is a significant step for India’s defense capabilities.
The Agni-5 missile has an impressive range of 5,000 kilometers. This means it can reach almost any part of Asia, including the northern regions of China, and even extend into parts of Europe. This long range makes the Agni-5 a powerful addition to India’s arsenal, enhancing its ability to protect itself over vast distances.
One of the most important features of the Agni-5 is its MIRV technology. This allows the missile to carry multiple warheads, each capable of hitting different targets. This means that a single Agni-5 missile can strike several different locations simultaneously.
Senior journalist and strategic affairs analyst Ranjit Kumar pointed out that the successful test of the Agni-5 has caught the attention of military experts worldwide. He noted that this missile’s MIRV capability makes it extremely difficult for any country to defend against.
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India Successfully Tests Agni-4 Missile FAQs
Q.1. What is the Agni-4 missile?
Ans. The Agni-4 is an Indian intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers and the capability to carry nuclear warheads. It was recently tested successfully in Chandipur, Odisha.
Q.2. How is the Agni-5 different from the Agni-4?
Ans. The Agni-5 has a longer range of 5,000 kilometers and features MIRV technology, allowing it to carry multiple warheads that can hit different targets simultaneously.
Q.3. When and where was the Agni-4 test conducted?
Ans. The Agni-4 was tested on a Friday at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, meeting all required standards.
Q.4. What is MIRV technology?
Ans. MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology lets a missile carry several warheads, each aimed at different targets, enhancing its effectiveness and defense complexity.
Q.5. How does the Agni-5 improve India’s defense?
Ans. The Agni-5’s longer range and MIRV technology enhance India’s ability to strike distant targets and deliver multiple warheads, strengthening its strategic deterrence.
