Syllabus: GS-III: Defence Technology

Why in the News?

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired the Agni-Prime (Agni-P) missile from a rail-based mobile launcher for the first time. This marks a significant milestone, placing India among a select group of countries – Russia, US, China, and possibly North Korea – that have demonstrated the ability to launch ballistic missiles from rail platforms.

The Defence Minister hailed the achievement, stating that the test strengthens India’s second-strike capability under its declared ‘No First Use’ nuclear doctrine.

About Agni-P

  • Agni-P is a nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
  • Series: Successor and advanced version of Agni-I.
  • Type: Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM).
  • Range: 1,000 km – 2,000 km.
  • Mass: Approx. 11,000 kg.
  • Stages: Two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system.
  • Warhead Capacity: Can carry high explosive, thermobaric, or nuclear warheads.
  • Technology: Incorporates advanced propulsion, guidance and navigation systems from Agni-IV and Agni-V.
  • Induction: Designed for operational flexibility and survivability in both conventional and nuclear deterrence roles.

Significance of Rail-Based Missile Launchers

  • Strengthening Second-Strike Capability
    • India’s No First Use policy relies on survivability of retaliatory forces.
    • Mobile launchers ensure survivability against enemy first strikes.
  • Operational Advantages over Road-Based Systems
    • Roads restrict mobility due to weight limits, bottlenecks, or terrain challenges.
    • Railways, with India’s 70,000 km network, offer seamless nationwide mobility.
  • Concealment and Survivability
    • India’s railway system includes thousands of tunnels, which can hide missiles from satellite surveillance until launch.
  • Cost Efficiency compared to Submarine Launch Platforms
    • Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) and nuclear submarines are highly expensive to construct and maintain.
    • Rail-based platforms provide a cheaper and scalable alternative for enhancing deterrence.

Strategic Importance of Agni-P

  • Upgrade to Agni-I: Provides extended range and improved guidance, enhancing flexibility against regional threats.
  • Credible Deterrence: Strengthens India’s nuclear posture vis-à-vis its adversaries.
  • Atmanirbhar Bharat Push: Indigenous development of advanced missile systems showcases India’s growing self-reliance in defence technologies.
  • Balance in Strategic Stability: Reinforces deterrence equation in South Asia, particularly with China and Pakistan.

Agni Series of Missiles

The Agni series forms the backbone of India’s nuclear-capable ballistic missile arsenal, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). These are surface-to-surface ballistic missiles of varying ranges, designed to strengthen India’s strategic deterrence.

Key Missiles in the Agni Series

  • Agni-I (1989)
    • Type: Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM)
    • Range: 700 – 1,200 km
    • Inducted: 2004
    • Target: Pakistan
  • Agni-II (1999)
    • Type: MRBM
    • Range: 2,000 – 3,500 km
    • Inducted: 2008
    • Dual targeting: Pakistan & parts of China
  • Agni-III (2006)
    • Type: Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)
    • Range: 3,500 – 5,000 km
    • Can cover most of China
    • Tested successfully in 2007
  • Agni-IV (2011)
    • Type: IRBM
    • Range: 3,500 – 4,000 km
    • Equipped with advanced navigation, avionics, and maneuvering warheads
    • Tested: 2011
  • Agni-V (2012)
    • Type: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
    • Range: 5,000 – 7,000 km
    • Can reach Beijing and most of Asia-Pacific
    • Inducted into Strategic Forces Command (2019)
  • Agni-VI (Under Development)
    • Type: ICBM
    • Estimated Range: 8,000 – 10,000 km
    • Likely to be MIRV-capable (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles)
  • Agni-P (Agni-Prime) (Latest, 2021)

Conclusion

The successful rail-based test of Agni-P represents a leap in India’s missile mobility and survivability, directly reinforcing its nuclear deterrence doctrine. With growing vulnerabilities of fixed launchers due to advancements in surveillance, India’s integration of rail-based platforms is both a cost-effective and strategically vital step. Going forward, a mix of land, rail, and sea-based launchers will provide India with a robust and credible nuclear triad.

Mains Practice Question

  1. Discuss the significance of mobile missile launch platforms, particularly rail-based systems, in strengthening India’s nuclear deterrence posture. How does Agni-P reflect the evolution of India’s missile programme?

The Indian Express

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