New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced the successful test firing of Agni-V ballistic missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
The event marks the land-based intercontinental ballistic missile’s first testing with the MIRV technology as well as putting India in an elite club whose other members comprise the US, the UK, France, Russia, and China.
The MIRV technology helps the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in carrying several independent warheads as well as miniaturising them.
Apart from targeting different locations, the launch of multiple warheads through an ICBM helps in evading the missile defence systems laid out by the adversary. With one single warhead, the chances of getting detected are more.
Making the announcement of ‘X’, Modi tweeted, “Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.”
Tested for the first time in 2012, Agni-V is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 km. The missile uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine and gives a long-range strike capability to India.
“Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted first successful flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. Various Telemetry and radar stations tracked and monitored multiple re-entry vehicles. The Mission accomplished the designed parameters,” the DRDO said in a statement.
President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were among those to laud the milestone.
“The first flight test of Agni V under Mission Divyastra marks a very important milestone in India’s march towards greater geo-strategic role and capabilities. The state-of-the-art technology developed indigenously is a firm step in the direction of India becoming Atmanirbhar. I convey my heartiest congratulations to the Team DRDO for this major achievement. I am sure they will keep moving apace in their quest for excellence and self reliance,” Murmu tweeted.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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