India's most potent missile Agni-V to be inducted soon
What's the story
India is in the process of inducting the first batch of its intercontinental ballistic missile system, Agni-V, which will bring targets across China within its range, and is expected to significantly bolster India's military prowess. The missile system, with a strike range of 5,000km and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, is being inducted into the elite Strategic Forces Command (SFC), official sources said.
What's new?
Agni-V has the advanced technologies for navigation
Last month, Agni-V was successfully test-fired off the Odisha coast and other pre-induction tests are being planned in the next few weeks. "It's a strategic asset which will act as a deterrent. We are at the fag-end of the strategic project," said an official, who is part of Agni-V program. He said it's the most advanced weapon as it has latest technologies for navigation.
Countries
Countries having intercontinental ballistic missiles
Very few countries including the US, China, Russia, France, and North Korea have intercontinental ballistic missiles. In its armory, India currently has Agni-1 with 700km range, Agni-2 with a 2,000km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500km to more than 3,500km range. Agni-V underwent a series of five trials between April 2012 to January 2018. All the trials were successful.
BrahMos
Government to integrate BrahMos supersonic missile on Sukhoi combat aircraft
As part of its efforts to enhance the country's defense capabilities, the central government is also working on several key projects including integrating the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on 40 Sukhoi combat aircraft. The air-launched variant of the BrahMos, the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, was successfully test fired from a Sukhoi-30 combat jet on November 22, 2017.