Mission Divyastra: Agni-5 with MIRV Technology Launched | UPSC
- Context: India successfully conducted the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
Analysis
- The test was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under Mission Divyastra.
- The missile launch made India’s entry into the elite list of the countries that have the capability to deploy MIRV missile systems, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France and China.
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- Pakistan too has claimed to have tested an MIRV-equipped missile called Ababeel, first in 2017 and then in 2023.
- The United States was the first country to develop MIRV technology.
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What is MIRV Technology
- The MIRV technology means that a single missile can deploy multiple warheads at different locations.
- These warheads could also include decoys to hoodwink the enemy’s ballistic missile defence programme.
- Warheads on MIRVed missiles can be released from the missile at different speeds and in different directions.
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- Some MIRVed missiles can hit targets as far as 1,500 kilometers apart.
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- These warheads can all be made to hit the same location too, one after the other, thus ensuring complete annihilation of the target.
Can make ballistic missile defenses ineffective
- Although MIRVs were not initially intended to defeat ballistic missile defenses (BMD), they are much more difficult to defend against than traditional missiles and are considered effective BMD countermeasures.
- A missile defence system is a network of technologies aimed at detecting, tracking, intercepting and destroying an incoming missile.
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- It involves the deployment of sophisticated radars, communication systems, and interceptor missiles.
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- MIRV-equipped missiles, however, can render the system useless. Multiple warheads, each with an independent trajectory, can make the job of tracking and intercepting extremely complicated.
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- In addition, MIRV-equipped missiles can be made to carry decoy warheads to confuse the defence system.
- It is thus very likely that one or more warheads penetrate the shield created by the defence system, and inflict damage.
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- However, deploying MIRV technology also poses complex challenges, including miniaturisation of warheads, development of advanced guidance systems, and ensuring the reliability of individual re-entry vehicles.
- Agni-5 with MIRV Technology is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high accuracy sensor packages, which ensured that the re-entry vehicles reached the target points within the desired accuracy.
Agni Series of Missiles
- The Agni series of missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), constitute the backbone of India’s nuclear weapons delivery.
- It originated from India’s 1983 Integrated Guided Missile Development Program, which also developed the Prithvi, Nag, Akash, and Trishul missiles.
| Name | Class/Range | Mobility | Propulsion | Warheads |
| Agni-1 | Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of 700 -1200 km | Can be launched from rail and road-based platforms | Single-stage, solid-fueled missile | Single warhead, nuclear capable |
| Agni-2 | Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range between 2,000-3500 km. | Can be launched from rail and road-based platforms | Two-stage, solid-fueled missile | Single warhead, nuclear capable |
| Agni-3 | Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a range between 3000-3500 km | Can be launched from rail and road-based platforms | Two-stage, solid-fueled missile | Single warhead, nuclear capable |
| Agni-4 | Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a range of up to 4,000 km. | Can be launched from rail and road-based platforms | Two-stage, solid-fueled missile | Single warhead, nuclear capable |
| Agni-5 | Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km. | Unlike earlier missiles, the Agni-V launches from a sealed canister on a road-mobile launcher, compressing the time needed to prepare for launch. | Three-stage, solid-fueled missile | Multiple warheads, nuclear capable |
- Note: Nuclear triad is a three-sided military-force structure consisting of land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile-armed submarines, and strategic aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles.
References:
- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/proud-of-our-drdo-scientists-pm-modi-on-first-flight-test-of-agni-5-missile/article67939113.ece
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-is-mirv-technology-used-in-agni-5-missile-test-launch-101710181722577.html
- https://armscontrolcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Multiple-Independently_New-1.pdf
- https://armscontrolcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/MIRV-graphic.pdf
- https://theprint.in/defence/why-mission-divyastra-is-significant-what-it-means-for-indian-nuclear-capability/1996946/
- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/pm-modi-mission-divyastra-agni-5-mirv-9208303/
Practice Questions:
Q. With reference to the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, recently used in Agni-5 missile, consider the following statements:
- MIRV technology allows a single missile to deploy multiple warheads at different locations.
- Warheads on MIRVed missiles can only be released from the missile at the same speed and in the same direction.
- MIRV technology is ineffective against ballistic missile defense systems.
- MIRVed missiles can only hit targets within a close range, typically less than 500 kilometers apart.
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four
Answer: a
Explanation:
Q. Discuss the implications of India’s successful test of the Agni-5 missile with MIRV technology for the India-China defense dynamics? (Answer in 250 words)