SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — India on Monday conducted successful testing of the nuclear-capable long-range surface to surface ballistic missile, the Agni-V.
The missile is indigenously designed and developed by the state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization.
“The test – the fourth in a row – was a complete success,” a senior DRDO scientist said. “Three more tests are planned before the missile is inducted in the defense forces… The full range test-flight of the missile has further boosted the indigenous missile capabilities and deterrence level of the country.”
All the radars, tracking systems and range stations tracked and monitored the flight performance, each of the mission objectives were successful. This was India’s fourth test of the missile and the second test from the inside of a canister of a road mobile launcher. Each of the four tests have been successful, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Defense.
“Agni-V will be the last link in the chain of land-based deterrence vis a vis China as at present India cannot pose a viable threat to major Chinese counter value targets such as large cities,” said Rahul Bhonsle, a defense analyst and retired Indian Army brigadier and defense analyst. “This will certainly place the country at par with the Chinese as well as other major missile powers such as the United States and Russia to some extent. Thus India enters the exclusive intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) club.”
“India had strategically delayed the testing of 5000 kilometres range Agni-V for one year to ensure a seat in the Missile Control Technology Regime (MTCR) which it got in July this year,” a senior Ministry of Defense official told Defense News.
India has already inducted the homemade nuclear capable Agni-I with a range of 700 kilometers, Agni-II with a range of 2000 kilometers,3000 kilometers range Agni-III missile The 4000 kilometers range Agni-IV missile is in user trial stage.
Information from Defense News contributed to this report.
