India, a major missile power
Tags:
The successful test-firing of Agni-V paves the way for the country to develop the next series of missiles that qualifies India for the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile tag. Agni-V falls a little short in range to qualify India for the ICBM club. China is the only country in Asia to possess 5,000 km plus range missiles. Agni-V can hit a number of places at a time, as it carries many warheads.
When asked about the road ahead, a senior DRDO official said that there was currently “no proposal for an Agni-VI with even further range” and said it was up to the government to decide on any fresh project. China has the ability to launch ICBMs with a range of up to 13,000 km. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and defence minister A.K. Antony congratulated DRDO chief Dr V.K. Saraswat, programme director Avinash Chander and other top scientists including woman scientist Tessy Thomas for the success. There was much jubilation and cheer among DRDO scientists at the test-range once the missile hit the target.
Dr Saraswat said that all mission parameters had been met and that India had emerged as a “major missile power”, with only six countries (including the US, Russia, France and China) having this capability. “All the re-entry conditions were perfect. The missile travelled through the re-entry, got converted into a fireball and finally (hit the target)... And all the payload parameters which result in the detonation of the warhead took place,” he said.
“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 major missile power,” he added.
“The missile followed the entire trajectory in copybook style perfection as the three stages of propulsion, developed indigenously by DRDO, dropped and fell at appropriate intervals into the Bay of Bengal,” DRDO spokesperson Ravi Kumar Gupta said.
The indigenously developed Composite Rocket Motors performed well, signifying the country’s stride and complete self-reliance in this complex propulsion technology. Ships located in mid-range and at the target, point-tracked the Vehicle and witnessed the final event. Radars and electro-optical systems along the path monitored in real time all the parameters of the missile.
“Years of hard work paid off,” said Dr Tessy Thomas, Senior DRDO scientist. A DRDO release added that the missile’s “very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System and the accurate Micro Navigation System ensured the missile reached the target point within few metres of accuracy.”
Dr Saraswat admitted that at least two more tests of the missile would be carried out for validation before the missile is inducted into the Indian Army.
Post new comment