Context:
India has announced the successful testing of an Agni missile capable of carrying multiple warheads meant to hit multiple targets simultaneously. The test, named Mission Divyastra, was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast and was confirmed by Prime Minister Modi. This technology enables a single missile to deploy multiple warheads at different locations, enhancing India’s strategic capabilities. The system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages, ensuring that the re-entry vehicles reached the target points with desired precision.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Facts About MIRV Technology
- Agni-5 Missile
Key Facts About MIRV Technology:
Origins and Development:
- MIRV technology originated in the United States with the deployment of MIRVed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) in 1970.
- It allows a single missile to carry multiple independently targetable warheads (3-4), significantly increasing its destructive potential.
Enhanced Effectiveness:
- MIRV technology enhances a missile’s effectiveness by enabling it to engage multiple targets independently in a single launch.
- This capability increases the overall lethality of the missile system, making it a formidable weapon in strategic operations.
Operational Flexibility:
- MIRVs can be launched from both land-based and sea-based platforms, including submarines.
- This versatility enhances operational flexibility and extends the range of missile systems, enabling them to engage targets across various geographic locations.
Global Adoption and Proliferation:
- Major nuclear powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and India, possess MIRV technology.
- Pakistan tested MIRV technology with the Ababeel Missile in 2017, marking its entry into the club of nations with MIRV capability.
Strategic Significance:
- Initially designed to enhance offensive capabilities, MIRVs pose significant challenges to ballistic missile defense systems.
- Their ability to deploy multiple warheads independently makes them difficult to defend against compared to traditional single-warhead missiles.
Challenges:
- Deploying MIRV technology presents complex challenges, including miniaturizing warheads, developing advanced guidance systems, and ensuring the reliability of individual re-entry vehicles.
- Addressing these challenges is crucial for maintaining the effectiveness and reliability of MIRV systems in strategic operations.
Agni-5 Missile:
Development and Origin:
- Agni-5 is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developed indigenously by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India.
Capabilities:
- Capable of carrying nuclear warheads, Agni-5 has a target range exceeding 5,000 kilometers.
- It utilizes a three-stage solid-fueled engine for propulsion, enhancing its reliability and range.
Test Successes:
- Since its first successful test in 2012, Agni-5 has undergone multiple successful tests, demonstrating its reliability and operational readiness.
- In December 2022, DRDO conducted a successful test of Agni-5 to evaluate its night-time capabilities, further enhancing its versatility.
Variants in the Agni Family:
- Agni-I: A short-range ballistic missile with a range exceeding 700 kilometers.
- Agni-II: A medium-range ballistic missile capable of targeting distances ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 kilometers.
- Agni-III: An intermediate-range ballistic missile with a target range surpassing 3,000 kilometers.
- Agni-IV: Another intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometers.
- Agni-P (Agni Prime): A nuclear-capable, two-stage canisterized solid propellant ballistic missile designed for ranges between 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers.
Future Development:
- The next iteration of the Agni missile series, Agni-6, is anticipated to be a full-fledged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of targeting distances well over 7,000 kilometers.
-Source: The Hindu
