Agni-4 Ballistic Missile

GS Paper III Science and Technology

India successfully test-fired Agni-4, an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the Odisha coast.

About Agni-4 Ballistic Missile

It is the longest-range missile India has tested so far and very crucial for India’s nuclear deterrent.
Range: approximately 4,000 kilometers
This variant is integrated with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs).
Number of Warheads: The exact number of warheads the Agni-5 can carry remains classified, but speculation suggests it is unlikely to carry more than three due to technical limitations.
Yield of Nuclear Warheads: The yield of the nuclear warheads is likely to be limited due to India’s small number of atomic tests.
It was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, a part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
Significance: The Agni-4 fits within this context, offering a robust deterrence capability against China and Pakistan.

China remains significantly ahead in terms of both the number of missiles and technological sophistication.
- For Example: China’s missile arsenal, including its DF (Dongfeng) series, features multiple warhead capacities and boasts ranges that cover almost all of Asia and parts of Europe and the U.S.
India’s strategic emphasis is on maintaining a credible deterrent, which its Agni series successfully provides.
- While China’s missile force is larger and more advanced, India’s focus remains on a credible second-strike capability as part of its No First Use (NFU) nuclear doctrine.

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