India Ballistic Missile Program Goes On

Agni-II during a parade in India.

   Once more, a successful trial launch of ballistic missile took place in India, and specifically on Wheeler island (Bay of Bengal), within the country's efforts to upgrade its efficiency in nuclear deterrence. As director of Integrated Test Range, M. V. K. V. Prasad said, this user trial that was carried out by army personnel, was 100 percent successful.

   The medium-range missile that was tested, was Agni-II, part of the Agni series that are manufactured in India. Agni-II operational range is 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers, which means it is able to fully cover South Asia, almost all Southeast and East Asia, and part of the Middle East. Of course, the range totally covers the Indian Ocean. Agni-II was first tested in 1999 and since then, is in service, exclusively used by the Indian Army. Its warhead capability is 1,000 kg, and although it is compatible with different types, the strategic nuclear of 15 to 250 kilotons is the most important to be mentioned. The latest version of Agni-II is powered by a solid rocket propellant system, has an accuracy of 30 meters and is guided by an advanced command and control center.

Agni missile series range. (illustration by M. Phoenix)

   India seems determined to ensure and possibly strengthen its position among the nations equipped with nuclear weapons. The ballistic missiles were built mainly having Pakistan and China in mind, the main rivals of India. The entire Agni series is able to strike anywhere in Pakistan and most of the series' missiles are also able to cover the entire Chinese territory. Although Indian officials have repeatedly emphasized the nation's strict "no first strike" policy, the regional arms competition is a fact, mostly among India and the aforementioned two states. On the other hand, U.S. seems to be quite undisturbed by the Indian nuclear program, possibly due to the choice of New Delhi not to manufacture missiles with range over 5,000 km, in order not to ring any alarm bells in Washington.

   Right now, India is the sixth nation with an intercontinental ballistic missile capability, following United States, Russian Federation, People's Republic of China, Great Britain and France.