Introduction:
The Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology enables a single missile to target multiple locations that can be hundreds of kilometers apart.
India’s latest version of the Agni-5 missile is equipped with MIRV technology.
Currently, only a few countries, namely the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom, possess MIRV-equipped missiles.
Body:
Lethality of MIRV Technology:
- Unlike traditional missiles, which carry a single warhead, MIRV-equipped missiles can carry multiple warheads.
- These warheads can be released from the missile at varying speeds and directions, allowing for multiple targets to be hit simultaneously.
- The development of MIRV technology is complex and requires large missiles, compact warheads, precise guidance systems, and advanced mechanisms to sequentially release the warheads during flight.
Strategic Implications for India:
- The Agni-5 missile, equipped with MIRV technology, enhances India’s strategic deterrence by allowing it to strike multiple targets across a wide geographical area.
- This capability is crucial for India’s national security, given the evolving regional security dynamics and the need to maintain a credible deterrent.
Conclusion:
MIRV technology, which allows a single missile to carry and deploy multiple warheads, remains a sophisticated capability possessed by only a few countries, including the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France.
India’s successful test of the Agni-5 ballistic missile, equipped with MIRV technology, marks a significant advancement in its missile capabilities.
This upgrade not only enhances India’s strike capabilities but also strengthens its strategic defense posture, including its nuclear deterrence.