Medium Range Ballistic Missile Agni-4 was successfully test fired | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

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In Summary

  • Agni missile program evolved from a re-entry vehicle demonstrator into a family of ballistic missiles under India’s IGMDP.
  • The Agni family includes Agni-I (liquid-solid), Agni-II (2,500 km, solid), Agni-III (3,500 km), Agni-4 (4,000 km MRBM), and Agni-5 (ICBM with MIRV capability).
  • Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered initially, then follow a free-falling trajectory; classified by range: SRBM (<1,000 km), MRBM (1,000–3,000 km), IRBM (3,000–5,500 km), ICBM (>5,500 km).

In Summary

Test demonstrated the missile’s operational readiness and confirmed that all critical systems performed in line with expected parameters.

Agni Missiles 

  • Agni Programme: Evolved from a re-entry vehicle technology demonstrator into a family of ballistic missiles with varying ranges under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
  • Agni-I:Two-stage liquid-solid propulsion missile; operationally limited by long deployment time and mobility constraints.
  • Agni-II: Two-stage, solid-propellant design with range of approximately 2,500 km.
  • Agni-III:3,500 km range, designed to strengthen India's strategic deterrence, especially against China.
  • Agni-4:Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), enhancing India's credible minimum deterrence.
    • Range of approx. 4,000 km, can carry a 1,000 kg payload.
  • Agni-5: ICBM with solid fuel three stage propulsion design and equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) capability.

About Ballistic Missiles

  • Ballistic missiles are powered by rockets initially but then they follow an unpowered, free-falling trajectory toward their targets. 
  • Classification:
    • Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM): Range below 1,000 km
    • Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM): Range 1,000–3,000 km
    • Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM): Range 3,000–5,500 km

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM): Range above 5,500 km 

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Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM)

A classification of ballistic missiles with a range between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometers. Agni-4 is an example of an Indian MRBM.

Ballistic Missiles

Missiles that follow a ballistic trajectory to deliver warheads, typically involving a powered ascent phase followed by an unpowered ballistic flight path. Their trajectory is influenced by gravity and atmospheric resistance, making them distinct from cruise missiles.

MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle)

A payload technology on ballistic missiles that allows a single missile to carry multiple nuclear warheads, each capable of being independently targeted at different locations. This enhances the missile's effectiveness and survivability.

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