Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducts Mission Divyastra | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducts Mission Divyastra

Posted 12 Mar 2024

Updated 27 Mar 2024

2 min read

  • Flight test of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology was successfully conducted under the name Mission Divyastra.
    • The test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
       
  • About MIRVs technology
    •  In contrast to a traditional missile which carries one warhead, MIRVs can carry multiple warheads (each capable of striking different targets independently).
    • They can be launched from land or sea from a submarine. 
    •  US was the first country to develop MIRV technology, deploying a MIRVed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in 1970.
      • Russia, UK, France, and China also possess it. 
      • In 2017, Pakistan reportedly tested a MIRVed missile, the Ababeel.
         
  • About Agni-5 missile 
    • Development of Agni missiles started in early 1980s under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme by the DRDO under the leadership of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. 
      • So far, 6 Variants of Agni Missiles have been developed. 
    • Agni-5 missile uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine and has a range of more than 5,000 km.
    • Agni-5 MIRV system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages.
      • It can deliver multiple nuclear warheads against different targets spread across hundreds of kilometres.

Other Agni missiles

  • They are surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and the mainstay of India’s nuclear delivery options. 
  • They have a range of 700–1250 km (Agni I), 2,000–2,500 km (Agni – II), 3000- 3500 km (Agni III) and 3,000–4,000 km (Agni-IV).
  • Agni Prime or Agni-P is the latest missile with a range of 1000 - 2000 km.
    • It is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system.
    • It can be easily deployed and launched at a quicker pace.
  • Tags :
  • DRDO
  • Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle
  • MIRV
  • AGNI-5
  • Ababeel
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