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Indian Missile Program Updates

Intermediate Range Agni-Prime Missile

| Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

Why in the News?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) successfully test-fired the Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher, marking India’s first such operational test.

About Agni-Prime Missile:

  • About: 6th missile in the Agni family, developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
  • Design: Two-stage, solid-propellant, canisterised surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
  • Range and Payload: 1,000–2,000 km; covering both China and Pakistan; Payload: Up to 1.5 tonnes (1,500–3,000 kg).
  • Navigation: Dual redundant guidance system; Maneuverable Re-entry Vehicle (MaRV) with delta fins to evade missile defence systems.
  • Deployment: Already inducted in road-mobile canisterised version; now tested with rail-based mobile launcher.

Global Context: Rail-Based Missile Technology:

With Agni-P rail launch, joins this select strategic group.

  • Soviet Union: Operated RT-23 Molodets Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) on rail; dismantled after START Treaty.
  • Russia: Planned Barguzin rail-mobile ICBM system, shelved to focus on hypersonics.
  • United States: Explored rail-mobile Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBMs, cancelled post-Cold War.
  • China: Tested rail-mobile DF-41 ICBM in 2016.
  • North Korea: Tested rail-based Short-Range Ballistic Missile system in 2021.

Significance of Rail-Based Launch:

  • Mobility & Concealment: Railcars move across the network, hide in tunnels, evade satellite detection.
  • Survivability: Unlike silos, less vulnerable to pre-emptive strikes.
  • Rapid Response: Enables quick deployment and shorter reaction time.
  • Strategic Deterrence: Boosts credible second-strike nuclear capability.
  • Technological Showcase: Demonstrates India’s maturity in missile systems.

Back2Basics: Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

  • Launch: Conceived in 1983 by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to achieve self-reliance in missile technology.
  • Completion: 2012.
  • Missile Family (P-A-T-N-A):
    • Prithvi – Short-range ballistic missile.
    • Agni – Ballistic missiles of multiple ranges (Agni I–V, Agni-P).
    • Trishul – Short-range surface-to-air missile.
    • Nag – 3rd generation anti-tank guided missile.
    • Akash – Medium-range surface-to-air missile.

Agni Series and its Development:

  • Origins: Began in 1983 under the IGMDP led by Dr. Kalam.
  • Evolution: Started as technology demonstrators for re-entry vehicles; later developed into full-fledged strategic missiles.
  • Variants:
    • Agni-I: 700–1,200 km range, inducted 2007.
    • Agni-II: 2,000–3,000 km range, inducted 2010.
    • Agni-III: 3,500 km range, highly accurate, tested 2007.
    • Agni-IV: 4,000 km range, advanced avionics, tested 2011.
    • Agni-V: 5,000+ km range, ICBM, MIRV capable.
    • Agni Prime (Agni-P): 1,000–2,000 km, lighter, tested 2021.
    • Agni-VI: Under development, 6,000–10,000 km, MIRV + submarine launch capable.
  • Significance: Backbone of India’s nuclear triad, enhancing deterrence against regional and global adversaries.

 

[UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.

2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2*

 

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