Indian Defense
Explained: How Agni Prime Bolsters India’s Offensive Power Against Pakistan
Agni-P is very short and light missile when compared to other missiles in this class. Agni-P is the first of the new class of Agni series of missiles, developed by DRDO
On Monday, India test-fired its Pakistan-aimed new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-P or Agni-Prime.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the flight test was done from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam island near Balasore, off the Odisha coast at 10.55 am on June 28.
Scientists involved in the development said Agni Prime has a range of 1,000-2,000 km and can be launched from rail and road as the missile is cannisterised. With its range, the missile does not have the capability to target the Chinese mainland. “But, it covers the entire Pakistan territory,” an official maintained.
Agni-P is the first of the new class of Agni series of missiles, developed by DRDO. The missile weighs 50 per cent less than Agni 3 and has new guidance and a new generation of propulsion.
A new generation advanced variant of Agni class of missiles, Agni-P will replace Prithvi, and tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles, Agni-1 and Agni-2, as these missiles were built two decades ago and their technologies have become obsolete in the current scenario.
“Various telemetry and radar stations positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile,” DRDO said in a statement while adding that “The missile followed text book trajectory, meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy.”
Agni Prime is a very short and light missile when compared to other missiles in this class. A lot of new technologies have been incorporated in the new missile, according to DRDO officials. It is a ballistic missile with a rocket-propelled self-guided strategic-weapons system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target. The missile is capable carrying conventional high explosives as well as chemical, biological or nuclear munitions. With its high accuracy rate and the ability to contain the collateral damage, the ballistic missile can be used for lower-yield nuke bomb.
India has in its armoury the Agni missile series—Agni-1 with a range of 700 km, Agni-2 with a range of 2,000 km, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500 km to more than 3,500 km range. The Agni-5, with a range of 5000km, is the most advanced in navigation guidance, warhead and engine. All these missiles are part of the Indian military’s Strategic Force Command.
The Agni series of ballistic missiles is being developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme of the DRDO.
India’s first intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-1 was successfully test-fired and 1989 and inducted into service in 2004. It has a range capability between 700 and 900 kilometres. Since then, four variants of Agni missile have joined the India’s arsenal. Agni-V, with its 5,000-plus km range, was developed keeping China in mind.
Agni-V made India the eighth nation in the world to have intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities. It can target any target in Asia and half of Europe with its range of 5,000 km and can carry a payload of 1.5 tons of nukes.
However, India is lagging behind both its neighbours China and Pakistan in the numbers of nuclear warheads.
According a recently released report by the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI), while India has only 156 nuclear warheads, China is way ahead with 350 nukes. Pakistan has 165 warheads. Russia tops the list with 6,255 warheads and the United States has 5,550 nukes.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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