Agni-P

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Further information: Agni (missile) and Agni-I
Agni-P
Agni-P 20210628 Cropped.jpg
First flight test of Agni-P from Abdul Kalam Island
TypeMedium Range Ballistic Missile
Place of originIndia
Service history
Used byStrategic Forces Command
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Organisation
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
Mass11,000 kg (24,000 lb)
Length10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
Diameter1.15 m (3 ft 9 in)
WarheadSingle or 2 x MIRV[1] (high explosive, thermobaric and nuclear)
Warhead weight1,500 kg (3,300 lb) - 3,000 kg (6,600 lb)
EngineTwo stage rocket motor with third stage MaRV[2][1]
PropellantSolid fuel
Operational
range
1,000 to 2,000 km[3]
Guidance
system
Ring laser gyro inertial navigation system with redundant micro inertial navigation and digital control system. Optionally augmented by GPS/NavIC satellite guidance.[4]
Accuracy10 m CEP[5]
Launch
platform
8 x 8 BEML - Tatra transporter erector launcher[3]

Agni-P or Agni-Prime (Agnī "Fire") is a medium-range ballistic missile being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a successor for Agni-I and Agni-II missiles in the operational service of Strategic Forces Command with significant upgrades in the form of composite motor casing, maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) along with improved propellants, navigation and guidance systems.[6]

It is the sixth missile in the Agni (missile) series of ballistic missile. Agni Prime can be either transported on train or stored in canister.[7]

History and development[]

Second test launch of Agni-P from Abdul Kalam Island.

Beginning in 2016, various media organisations have reported that DRDO is developing a successor of Agni-I called Agni-1P with two stages that borrowed the newer technologies from Agni-IV and Agni-V to increase accuracy and reliability.[8] India started working on area denial weapons after China developed DF-21D and DF-26B with nuclear capability to counter US Navy which brought Naval Base Guam within its reach. As a counterbalance, the progress of Agni-P became crucial part of India's Indo-Pacific strategy to tackle China's plan of having five or six aircraft carrier battle groups by 2035 to cover both Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean with access to future overseas logistical bases around the region such as the one it currently has in Djibouti.[9][10][11] Chinese military expert accepts that there is a capability enhancement demand in India as far as Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) is concerned. Agni-P test also increases the chance of India to be part of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.[12]

On 28 June 2021, DRDO successfully test fired Agni-P (earlier known as Agni-1P) from Abdul Kalam Island which carried two multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV). This is a three-stage solid fuel missile with maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) capability that delivered the warheads into two separate locations. The missile is stored in a hermetically sealed tandem twin canister launcher and transported through road and rail. It uses cold launch mechanism and can be fired in salvo mode.[13] As per V. K. Saraswat, MIRV and MaRV technology were already on advance stages of development for Agni-VI in 2013.[14]

On 18 December 2021, second successful test was conducted from the coast of Odisha at Balasore.[15]

The MaRV carries four delta fins for the terminal phase of the flight to avoid missile defense system.[16] It is a new class of missile in Agni Series which is half the weight of Agni-III. Both first and second stage of Agni-P are made up of composite material for the purpose of weight reduction, which was mastered during Agni-V project.[17] The missile carries an improved guidance package and propulsion system covering maximum distance of 2000 km with 1.5 ton payload.[3][18][6]

According to analysts, Agni-P is primarily aimed at countering Pakistan's forces owing to the fact that its range is insufficient to reach all parts of mainland China.[19]

Although there were many speculations that Agni-P will replace Prithvi-I, Agni-I and Agni-II after induction, government sources denied any such theory. It is expected that DRDO might develop a "carrier killer" based on this missile.[20]

One of the objectives behind its development is to achieve maximum manoeuvrability against missile defense system and higher accuracy for precision strike.[21]

Reactions to testing[]

Domestic[]

Indian defence experts view it as part of work in progress towards an advance anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) development for enhancing future sea denial capability against Chinese carrier battle groups in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).[16]

Other states[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Hemant Kumar Rout (2021-09-13). "India to conduct first user trial of Agni-V missile". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  2. ^ "India to conduct first user trial of Agni-V missile". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "DRDO successfully flight tests New Generation Agni P Ballistic Missile". pib.gov.in. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Press Information Bureau. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  4. ^ Shukla, Ajai (28 June 2021). "Pakistan-aimed Agni-P ballistic missile flight-tested successfully". Business Standard. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  5. ^ Bedi, Rahul (28 June 2021). "India test-launches new Agni-series nuclear-capable missile". Janes. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b Rout, Hemant Kumar (2021-06-28). "India test fires new generation nuclear capable Agni-Prime missile off Odisha coast". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  7. ^ "Agni-P (Prime)". Dristi IAS. 1 July 2021.
  8. ^ "A brand new Agni missile Pakistan should be wary of". Rediff. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
  9. ^ "Agni P spearheads India's major naval revamp to deter China". Lokmat English. 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  10. ^ "China using Pakistan for military logistics facilities: US Defence report". ANI News. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  11. ^ "China seeks to set up military logistic facilities in Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Myanmar". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  12. ^ "China takes notice of India's test of 'carrier killer' Agni-P ballistic missile". The Shillong Times. 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  13. ^ Rout, Hemant Kumar (2021-09-13). "India to conduct first user trial of Agni-V missile". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  14. ^ Shukla, Ajai (2013-05-08). "Advanced Agni-6 missile with multiple warheads likely by 2017". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  15. ^ "India successfully test-fires new generation Agni Prime missile off Odisha coast". Hindustan Times. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  16. ^ a b "Agni P (Prime): India's ASBM in the Making and its Impact on Naval Warfare". ELE Times. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  17. ^ Shukla, Ajai (2012-04-21). "No intention to cap missile plan". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  18. ^ Gupta, Shishir (2021-06-28). "India successfully test-fires Agni P, a new missile in Agni series". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  19. ^ "India Tests New Agni Missile". Arms Control Association. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  20. ^ "China takes notice of India's test of carrier killer Agni-P ballistic missile". Indian Defence Review Wing. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  21. ^ a b Philip, Snehesh Alex (2021-06-30). "Agni Prime is the new missile in India's nuclear arsenal. This is why it's special". ThePrint. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  22. ^ Liu, Zhen (1 July 2021). "India's latest Agni-P missile no great threat to China: experts". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

External links[]

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