March 12, 2024
NEW DELHI – Displaying a quantum jump in its capability to hit adversaries, India on Monday tested Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with a rare Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
Announcing it on the X: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Proud of our DRDO scientists for Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.”
Government sources said the missile technology “will ensure that a single missile can deploy multiple warheads at different locations.”
The project director of the mission behind the technology is a woman and the mission has significant women contribution.
With the test of Mission Divyastra, India has joined the select group of nations which have the MIRV capability.
This system is equipped with indigenous Avionics systems and high accuracy sensor packages, which ensure that the re-entry vehicles reach the target points within the desired accuracy. The capability is an enunciator of India’s growing technological prowess.
Experts said the Agni-5 missile takes India’s nuclear arsenal to an advanced stage. It will be hard to shoot down. It can hit several targets simultaneously. It can have a 3,000 kms range to cover adversaries in both eastern and western directions.
Work on the missile started a long time back, estimated to be going on for 10 years. The missile is ready for induction, after several trials. Just a few countries in the world have this technology.