India’s strategic strength has been boosted significantly following the launch of Agni-V, a missile which has the capability to inflict “unacceptable damage” deep inside enemy territory, says Dr V.S. Arunachalam, the patriarch of India’s integrated guided missiles programme.
The long-range missile, which is the fruition of a technology demonstrator programme launched during the regime of the late prime minister Indira Gandhi in early ’80s is the best deterrent to a possible nuclear attack. The made-in-India solid propellant motors which power the Agni missile, provide advantages of easy shipment and storage. Therefore, the missile would be ready for launch from any corner of the country, to decimate targets deep inside enemy territory. “That’s what Agni can do. It is the best deterrent as we have announced no-first-use of nuclear weapons” Dr Arunachalam told this newspaper.
He said Agni-V would undergo two more test flights before its induction by the armed forces.
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MOST PARTS DEVELOPED INDIGENOUSLY
AGE Correspondent
Hyderabad, April 19
Indian scientists should get full marks for the success of the country’s first long-range new generation missile Agni-V. Most of the components and equipment used in the Agni-V have been developed indigenously. Only a portion of the electronic components is imported.
The successful launch of Agni-V through indigenous technology has once again proved India’s scientific prowess in a world dominated by technology denial. With no support from external sources, Indian scientists had to conceptualise, design and develop the long-range missile to meet the growing defence needs of the country, and this has catapulted India to the status of a regional superpower. China is the only other country in Asia to possess intercontinental ballistic missiles.
“This launch has given a message to the entire world that India has the capability to design, develop, build and manufacture missiles of this class, and we are today a missile power,” said Dr V.K. Saraswat, chief of the DRDO. The DRDO will conduct a couple of more tests on Agni-V before it is ready for induction into the Army. Once the mandatory trials are completed, Agni-V will be at the disposal of the Armed forces by 2014-15.