Namaste Readers,
On 8:29PM 11th March 2024, DRDO announced that they successfully developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology and tested as a part of Mission Divyastra.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Lauded the efforts of the DRDO scientists who participated in the conduct of the complex Mission. In a post on Social Media Platform X He said,”Proud of our DRDO Scientists for Mission Divyastra,the first flight of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.”
What is Agni-5 missiles?
Agni-5 is a long Range Missile developed by DRDO. The Family of Agni missiles has been in the arsenal of the Indian Armed Forces since the early 1990s. This latest varient of the missile is equipped with what is known as MIRV technology, first developed at least five decades ago but in possession of only a handful of countries.
What is MIRV technology?
The MIRV can target multiple targets that can be hundreds of Kilometers apart with a single missile. This Agni, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, has a range of more than 5,000 km, making it a long-range missile,and is aimed mainly at thwarting the challenge from China.
As of now, the US,Russia,China,France and the UK are known to have a MIRV-equipped missiles. These missiles can be launched from Land or from Sea from a submarine. While Pakistan is developing such a missile system,Israel too is suspected to either posses the missile or be developing it.
Medium to Intercontinental versions of Agni missile system 1 to 5 have varying ranges-Starting from 700km for Agni-1 to 5000km and above for Agni-5.
The Director General of DRDO VK Saraswat said the first three stages will remain same as all MIRV the only Kill Vehicle or payload delivery system will need changes.
The MIRV is difficult to develop, which is why very few countries became successful on this and the other ranges are not easy to developed by so many countries.