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NEW DELHI: Amid fresh tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, India on Thursday successfully carried out the night trials of Agni-V nuclear-capable ballistic missile off Odisha coast.
The missile — considered India’s most formidable — can hit targets well beyond the range of 5,000 kilometres.
It technically brings even the northernmost part of China within its strike envelope.
The latest test was carried out to validate new technologies and equipment on the missile, which is now lighter than before, defence sources said.
The successful trial has proved the capability to enhance the range of the Agni-V missile, if required.
TOI had reported earlier that DRDO is working to develop ‘multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles’ (MIRVs) for the Agni missiles.
An MIRV payload basically involves a single missile carrying four to six nuclear warheads, each programmed to hit a separate target.
The existing single-warhead Agni-V in itself adds teeth to the deterrence posture against China, which has missiles like the Dong Feng-41 (12,000-15,000-km) that can hit any Indian city.
Notably, the test, which was planned in advances, comes days after a major clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh.
The missile — considered India’s most formidable — can hit targets well beyond the range of 5,000 kilometres.
It technically brings even the northernmost part of China within its strike envelope.
The latest test was carried out to validate new technologies and equipment on the missile, which is now lighter than before, defence sources said.
The successful trial has proved the capability to enhance the range of the Agni-V missile, if required.
TOI had reported earlier that DRDO is working to develop ‘multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles’ (MIRVs) for the Agni missiles.
An MIRV payload basically involves a single missile carrying four to six nuclear warheads, each programmed to hit a separate target.
The existing single-warhead Agni-V in itself adds teeth to the deterrence posture against China, which has missiles like the Dong Feng-41 (12,000-15,000-km) that can hit any Indian city.
Notably, the test, which was planned in advances, comes days after a major clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh.
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