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India conducts first test of multiple warheaded Agni-V missile
The multiple warheads enable a single rocket to strike different targets separated by several hundred kilometers.
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Mission Divyastra carried out by DRDO / (Image - X, NewsIADN)
India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) carried out the first successful flight test of the domestically manufactured Agni-5 missile, marking a significant technological advancement in India's nuclear warfare capacity.
Dubbed Mission Divyastra, the flying test was conducted from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
Since the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) was first tested to its full 5,000-kilometer range in April 2012, analysts were speculating on when India would test its successor --- presumably India's first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) --- and whether it would be armed with multiple warheads.
The most recent missile is equipped with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology, allowing it to fire a single missile with four to six warheads, each of which may be designed to strike a different targets separated by several hundred kilometers.
While during the test the rocket may not have been fired at its full range of 5,000 kilometers, it focused on firing numerous warheads at widely dispersed targets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised DRDO scientists who contributed to the complex mission. In a post on X, he wrote, “Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.”
Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 11, 2024
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has been using workhorse rockets to test and refine MIRV technology for commercial launches. The goal was to launch a single rocket that would send many satellites into the orbit.
The first flight test of Agni V under Mission Divyastra marks a very important milestone in India’s march towards greater geo-strategic role and capabilities. The state-of-the-art technology developed indigenously is a firm step in the direction of India becoming Atmanirbhar. I…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 11, 2024
India’s President Droupadi Murmu also tweeted, "The first flight test of Agni V under Mission Divyastra marks a very important milestone in India's march towards greater geo-strategic role and capabilities. The state-of-the-art technology developed indigenously is a firm step in the direction of India becoming Atmanirbhar. I convey my heartiest congratulations to the Team DRDO for this major achievement. I am sure they will keep moving apace in their quest for excellence and self-reliance".
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