Agni-P (Prime)
Agni-P (Prime)
Why in news?
- A new generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
About Agni-P (Prime)
- Agni P is a new generation advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles. It is christened Agni Prime.
- It has a range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 kms.
- It can be stored for a longer period.
- It is a canisterised missile that can be launched from rail and road.
- It weighs half of the Agni III missile.
- Based on requirements, it can be transported across the length and breadth of the country.
- It can be used to target enemy warships in the Indo-Pacific.
- It has many advanced technologies such as composites, propulsion systems, innovative guidance and control mechanisms and state of the art navigation systems.
Agni Class of Missiles
- They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability.
- Range of other Agni Missiles:
- Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.
- Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
- Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km
- Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.
- Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km. Agni-P (Prime)
Submarine missiles
- In the past few years, India has also operationalised its submarine-based nuclear launch capability, completing the nuclear triad.
- The DRDO successfully test-fired a 3,500-km range submarine-launched ballistic missile, K-4.
- Once inducted, these missiles will be the mainstay of the Arihant class of indigenous ballistic missile nuclear submarines (SSBN).
- It will give India the stand-off capability to launch nuclear weapons submerged in Indian waters.
- INS Arihant, the only SSBN in service, is armed with K-15 missiles with a range of 750 km.
IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)
- It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012.
- The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:
- Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e. Agni (1,2,3,4,5)
- Trishul: Short range low level surface to air missile.
- Prithvi: Short range surface to surface ballistic missile.
- Akash: Medium range surface to air missile.
- Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.
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