Why in news?
The Agni-5 is India’s most advanced nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), featuring a range of over 5,000 km, MIRV technology, and road-mobile canisterized launch capability, placing all of China and Pakistan within its reach.
 
Key Features

• Type: Surface-to-surface, three-stage solid-fuel IRBM, developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
• Range: Over 5,000 km, with some estimates and advanced versions suggesting up to 7,000+ km in possible range.
• Warheads: Equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRV) capability, allowing one missile to carry and deliver three to four nuclear warheads to different targets in a single launch.
• Mobility: Canisterized launch system enables launch from hermetically sealed canisters mounted on road or rail platforms for rapid deployment.
• Navigation and Accuracy: Uses advanced inertial navigation systems, ring-laser gyros, and thrust vector control for high accuracy.

Strategic Significance

• The Agni-5 marks a leap in India's second-strike and strategic deterrence capability with MIRV technology, placing India among an elite group of nations (USA, Russia, China, France) with such missile technology.
• Its large range places the entirety of China and Pakistan within striking distance, enhancing India’s strategic depth during regional tensions.
• Successful tests in 2024 and 2025, including the MIRV variant, affirm India's operational readiness and robust nuclear posture adhering to the "No First Use" policy.

Role in India’s Missile Arsenal

• Agni-5 is the longest-range missile in the Agni series, complementing shorter-range missiles (Prithvi-2, Agni-1, Agni-2, Agni-3) within the Strategic Forces Command.
• Enhances survivability and operational flexibility due to its mobile, canisterized, and rapid-launch features.

MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology

• MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology enables a single ballistic missile to carry multiple nuclear warheads, each capable of being aimed to hit different targets independently. This technology significantly increases the effectiveness and strategic value of missiles by allowing one missile to engage multiple targets simultaneously, complicating missile defense efforts.
• Other nuclear powers with MIRV technology include Russia, China, the UK, France, and India, while Pakistan reportedly tested MIRVed missiles as well.

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